A violent drug dealer who went on the run from Gloucester crown court last month has been jailed for 52 months today after being recaptured by police who put out an appeal for sightings of him.

Dean Sysum of Matson Avenue, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to possessing heroin with intent to supply on 27th July last year.

Judge Ian Lawrie QC heard that at the time of his illicit dealing Sysum was awaiting sentence for a vicious attack on a Longford pub landlord who had intervened to stop him assaulting a woman.

During that incident Sysum had throttled Queens Head boss Andrew Baird, causing him to pass out twice, and breaking his thumb on 10th April 2017.

He committed the drug supply offence whilst on bail for the GBH against Mr Baird, but as he was not sentenced until October 2017, it did not mean he had breached the suspended jail term, the court was told.

However, Judge Ian Lawrie QC, who branded Sysum 'stupid and cowardly', ruled that he did breach his suspended sentence when he did a runner from court on 19th November just before he was due to be called into court for the drugs offence.

Prosecutor Janine Wood told the court today that Sysum was seen by police at about 11am on 27th July last year in an alleyway between Thatcham Avenue and Boddington Drive.

Officers believed they witnessed Sysum supply drugs to another man.

He was arrested and as a strip search began he became 'aggressive', Mrs Wood said.

A blue wrap containing 17 wraps of heroin worth up to £510 was found 'secreted' within him.

Sysum had 24 previous convictions for 47 offences.

Joe Maloney, defending, said "He did not stay at court that day because he was scared."

"He really is an idiot," Judge Lawrie said.

Imposing the 52 month jail term, Judge Lawrie told Sysum: "There is an element of cowardice on your behalf. Chanced your arm by leaving, a singularly stupid thing to do.

"By committing that bail offence you breached the suspended sentence order."

As part of the 52 month sentence, the judge activated part of the suspended jail term and told Sysum: "That has cleared the decks."

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