A 31-year-old man from Wrexham, Maredudd Francis, has been sentenced to four years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine), possession with intent to supply class B drugs (cannabis), and possession of criminal property.
Francis, of Coed Aben, Wrexham, was also handed a two-year driving disqualification, which will take effect after his release. Upon his return to the road, he will be required to take an extended driving test.
The case began on September 29, 2024, when Cheshire Police attempted to stop a grey BMW 325 driven by Francis, who was accompanied by his partner. The vehicle, believed to be involved in drug supply, was signaled to leave the M56 at junction 11 for Daresbury. However, Francis accelerated onto a traffic island, narrowly missing an HGV, and rejoined the motorway at speeds reaching up to 139mph.
A high-speed pursuit ensued, with Francis weaving through traffic, before the chase ended at junction 10 for Stretton. There, the BMW collided with a Toyota Hilux after running a red light and driving through a traffic island. Remarkably, no serious injuries were sustained.
Francis was arrested for dangerous driving and further charged with money laundering after officers discovered a large sum of cash wrapped in a rubber band in the passenger footwell of the BMW. Additionally, a phone found in the vehicle led officers to conduct a search at Francis’s North Wales address, where they uncovered approximately 8.6kg of cocaine, worth an estimated £317,000, and around 380kg of cannabis valued at £3,800.
Further searches revealed £10,000 in cash, a Rolex watch, and a pair of Versace sunglasses. Despite his refusal to accept responsibility and his “no comment” responses to police questions, Francis later pleaded guilty to the charges of possession with intent to supply drugs and dangerous driving.
He appeared at Mold Crown Court on January 28, where he was sentenced to 52 months in prison.
