Teen crack dealer smashed ebike into police car during Leeds helicopter chase
Young offender was also armed with a machete
A teenager who was chased by a police helicopter as he rode along pavements on an ebike has been locked up.
Lawnd Hussain was selling high-purity crack cocaine from an electric bike and was armed with a fearsome machete.
The 18-year-old was handed detention in a young offender institute after a sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court this week.
A police helicopter had been scrambled to the East End Park area on April 13 after a member of the public rang 999 to say they had spotted Hussain with the large knife.
He was senen riding along pavements, along back streets, on the wrong side of the road and ignoring junctions.
Hussain eventually crashed head-on in to the back of a police car called to the scene to assist.
He then got off the ebike and ran, pursued by an officer, prosecutor Oishee Dey told the court.
He was seen to throw the machete into a garden and he was located crouched in a garden and arrested. The sheath from the machete was found in his trousers.
Hussain was searched and 27 wraps of 92% purity crack cocaine were found in his underwear. The drugs were worth £270.
He also had £188 in cash and a mobile phone that contained clear messages related to dealing.
The ebike had no registration plate and the VRN number suggested it had been scrapped previously.
He later admitted dealing in Class A drugs, dangerous driving, having no insurance and possession of a bladed article. He has no previous convictions.
Hussain, of no fixed address, appeared in court over a video from HMP Doncaster where he was being held on remand.
Mitigating, Stephen Smithson referred to Hussain’s age and said it was “unusual” to see a defendant enter criminality at 18 at such an advanced level, but conceded it had to be custody.
He said he carried the machete for his own protection.
Mr Smithson added that Hussain was planning to take construction courses in custody rather than sitting an “sulking” about his predicament.
Judge Neil Clark jailed Hussain for 27 months and handed him a driving ban of 37 months. He must also take an extended test to gain a licence.