A Toxteth drug dealer who went on the run after he was caught cutting and bagging up cocaine was captured by police in Kent.
Fugitive Liam Ditchfield, 25, was sentenced to seven years in jail at Liverpool Crown Court in November.
He had failed to attend a trial which led to him being found guilty in his absence of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Ditchfield, whose last address was in Sheerness, Kent, appeared in court today via video link from a Canterbury police station.
The defendant admitted failing to attend court and breaching his bail conditions.
Simon Becker, defending, told Judge Anil Murray: “The best mitigation when a person has absconded is always an apology.
“He understands it was a discourtesy to the court and to yourself in particular.
“He is sorry for the fact he was unable to attend and the trial was heard in his absence.
“The only explanation that can be given, and I quote Mr Ditchfield in his own words, is he had ‘cold feet’. He panicked and he apologises.”
Ditchfield was originally arrested after police raided a property in Kaber Court, Horsfall Street, Toxteth on June 30, 2014.
Officers discovered 26 wraps of cocaine, with a street value of around £800.
The cutting agent Benzocaine and electronic scales were also seized, plus £1,600 in cash.
His co-accused Faye Kavanagh, 26, of Tithebarn Road, Knowsley, had also denied possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
Faye Kavanagh, 26, of Tithebarn Road, Knowsley, jailed for two and a half years for possession with intent to supply cocaine from a Toxteth flat
Traces of the DNA of both defendants was found on drug packaging, which cocaine-user Kavanagh claimed was because she separated her stash into different amounts ready for personal use.
But a jury found the couple guilty of the charge and also convicted Ditchfield of possession of criminal property, namely the cash, in his absence. He previously admitted possession of cannabis.
Judge Murray said Ditchfield had “imposed himself” on Kavanagh so he could deal cocaine from her home and reap the profits. He jailed her for two-and-a-half years.
Ditchfield had three previous convictions for dealing heroin, crack cocaine and mephedrone in 2006 and 2007, when he was aged just 15 and 16.
Mr Becker said: “He has a son aged four. He is going to be away from his son for a long time. He wants to get on with his life upon release.”
Judge Murray said he would take the fact Ditchfield was now serving seven years into consideration when sentencing him for the breach of bail.
He said: “I have to give you a consecutive sentence. You caused extreme inconvenience.”
The judge handed Ditchfield a further 28 days in prison.
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Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/