Police Chase Through Brighton Ends In Jail For Dangerous Driver, Drug Dealer

A man who evaded police during a chase through Brighton has been jailed for dangerous driving a multiple drugs offences.

Slah Hassine, 51, of Junction Road, Burgess Hill, was spotted in mid October driving without insurance by officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) on patrol in Elm Grove.

They attempted to pull the black BMW over, but when they approached the car, the driver reversed and drove off.

Further specialist officers from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU), Tactical Firearms Unit (TFU) and SEU were called in to locate the vehicle, as well as the National Police Air Service helicopter (NPAS).

They traced the car to Warren Road, Brighton, travelling towards Woodingdean, with the help of the police helicopter.

During the chase, Hassine spots the helicopter above him and makes a rude gesture to it before attempting to turn in the road to travel in the opposite direction.

He then drove over a traffic island and bollard to escape unmarked police vehicles, but was brought to a stop by officers and detained.

Three bags of cocaine were found under his body, and another bag of cocaine was found in his jeans.

An officer from the Dogs Unit was also called in to carry out a search of the vehicle, and two bags of cocaine and burner phones were found inside the car.

There was also paperwork inside the car which showed Hassine was given a driving disqualification which was still in effect at the time.

Hassine was charged with possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of a class A drug , dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and driving without valid insurance.

At Lewes Crown Court on November 16, Hassine admitted the charges and was jailed for three years and eight months in total. He was also banned from driving for three years and three months, to include a 17-month period when he will be due for release on licence.

Following the case, Detective Sergeant Duncan Lloyd said:

“Hassine put the safety of other road users at risk when he drove dangerously through Brighton to evade arrest.

“His behaviour behind the wheel was appalling. But when presented with the evidence of his actions in court he had no choice but to plead guilty.

“This conviction has ensured that drugs supply in Sussex has been disrupted and a dangerous driver has been taken off our roads.”