Bassetlaw drug dealer forced learner driver to swerve as he fled cops

Eoin Mulcaire's Audi A3 was uninsured when officers spotted him on the outskirts of Retford, on April 10, 2019, said prosecutor Leanne Summers.

A pursuit along Leverton Road and Retford Road ensued, and Mulcaire reached 90 mph in a 60 mph zone and crossed the white lines, before losing the police in North Leverton.

The Audi was found locked and abandoned, but members of the public directed police to a bag, discarded in a garden, and told them of an address Mulcaire was seen entering.

In the bag 7.55 grams of 83 percent pure cocaine worth up to £700 were found. In the Audi's glove box, 3.5 grams of "low-quality" cocaine, worth £140, were found in deal bags.

Around £350 of cocaine and £250 of cannabis were also uncovered. His mobile phone showed evidence of cannabis supply.

The court heard he has ten previous convictions for 22 offences. He was jailed for supplying cocaine and cannabis in January and June of 2015, when he received three years and 64 months.

Nicola Hunter, mitigating, argued it would be unjust to impose the statutory seven year minimum sentence for a "third-strike" dealer.

Mulcaire was in prison serving a sentence for the first offence when he was sentenced for the second.

Because he was recalled to custody in October 2020, that time won't count towards any sentence.

She said Mulcaire caught Covid-19 from a cell-mate and the prison had run out of paracetamol and codeine, so he had to ride it out in his cell "under draconian and almost unlivable conditions."

The birth of two children since these offences has dramatically changed his perspective, said Ms Hunter.

"He now wishes to make sure he is a good father and a good partner," she said. "He has worked very well while he is in custody."

Mulcaire, 31, of Kirke Street, Retford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and possession with intent to supply cannabis and cocaine.

On Thursday, Recorder Simon King said it would be unjust to impose the minimum period and instead jailed him for for a total of three years. He also banned him from driving for 30 months.

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