Huncoat man caught dealing drugs in Accrington park jailed

David Pye, 46, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday (November 20) to be sentenced after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Pye had been forced into street dealing to pay off a drug debt when he was caught by police, a previous hearing at Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard in May.

David Pye (Image: Lancashire Police) At the time, the court heard that officers saw Pye in Bullough Park, Accrington, and he tried to evade them but was arrested and found to be in possession of numerous bags of heroin and crack cocaine.

His defence solicitor at the previous hearing, Aftab Bakhat, said Pye had been "coerced and threatened into continuing to deal drugs to pay off a debt."

He added that he was "simply acting as directed."

When police posted about the incident at the time of Pye's arrest, they said he was chased and "eventually rugby tackled near the playground."

Pye was sentenced at Preston Crown Court (Image: Archive) The police spokesperson added: "The unlucky individual has been sighted by police and decided to try his luck attempting to outrun the officers.

"Unfortunately for him, he didn't anticipate that the team was well-fuelled on coffee.

"The Hyndburn neighbourhood policing team will not tolerate drug dealing, especially in our parks, and we'll continue to actively target those involved in crime."

Police estimated the drugs found in his possession had a street value of around £11,000.

Pye was jailed for four years and six months.