Shocking footage showing a Gloucestershire drug dealer driving dangerously in an attempt to evade arrest has been released by the police.

James Stringer, 36 and of Golden Vale in Churchdown, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday (15 October) after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and dangerous driving.

Stroud News and Journal:

Plain clothed officers were on patrol on Napier Street, Gloucester, on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 1 when they noticed what appeared to be drug dealing from a car parked on Sinope Street.

The officers approached the car to speak to the occupants when Stringer revved the engine of his Rover whilst officers were stood in front of it.

Officers informed those in the vehicle that they had been detained for a search when Stringer drove off and a pursuit began.

Dashcam footage from the pursuing police car shows Stringer's dangerous driving as he narrowly avoided a number of pedestrians who were crossing roads in the area at the time.

Stringer eventually stopped after driving into the grounds of a local school where he was subsequently detained and arrested.

Investigating officer Kirsty Iliffe said: "What was a simple stop and search of a vehicle resulted in a pursuit in which Stringer put not only himself but members of the public and officers at risk by driving in such a dangerous manner.

"I hope that this sentencing shows that we take all incidents of drug dealing and dangerous driving seriously and will cause others who are involved in this to rethink."