Hit and run drug dealer jailed for more than six years

A 23-year-old drug dealer has been jailed for more than six years after injuring a teenage boy in a hit and run collision while trying to evade police officers in Kettering.

Officers from the Force’s Roads Policing Team were alerted to the silver Vauxhall Astra car, which had been reported stolen, after it activated their in-car ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) system at about 3.30pm on Saturday, April 27 this year.

The officers followed the car, which was being driven by Charlie Michael Raymond Stray, and as he drove from Linden Avenue into St Mary’s Road, his driving became more erratic as he reached speeds of up to 60mph in a 30mph zone.

As he approached the junction with London Road, on the wrong side of the road, he struck the 15-year-old boy, who was crossing the road, causing him to somersault over the car and land on the road.

Instead of stopping to check on the teenager, Stray drove off before abandoning the car at Kettering train station and running across the tracks in a bid to evade the police. He was soon caught and arrested.

Stray was searched and officers seized 13 individual wraps of heroin hidden in his sock, while a mobile phone dropped near to the stolen car was found to contain messages connected to drug dealing activities.

He was subsequently charged with seven offences and on Monday, April 29, Stray, of no fixed address, appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, where he was remanded in custody as his case was sent to the county’s crown court.

On Tuesday, June 18, Stray pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court to assault causing actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road collision, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and without third party insurance.

At the same hearing Stray also admitted to the possession with intent to supply a Class A drug – namely heroin – as well as being concerned in the supply of the same Class A drug following the seizure of the drugs and mobile phone.

Stray returned to the same court on Tuesday, November 12, where he was sentenced to 22 months in prison for the assault and 13 months for the dangerous driving offence, to run concurrently.

He was given 53-month sentences for each of the drug offences, to run concurrently, but consecutively to the 22 months, making a total of 75 months’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 62 months. He will have to take an extended driving test to gain a licence.

Lead investigator Detective Constable Vicky Wiley of the North LPA Crime team said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the teenage boy and his family for their courage and support in helping to bring Charlie Stray to justice.

“This traumatic incident continues to cause issues for the teenager, physically and mentally, and although the court result won’t change this, I hope that he can take some solace from the sentence, and it can aid his recovery.

“I also hope that Stray is aware that his dangerous and reckless use of the roads that day put the lives of innocent people at risk, and it was through sheer luck that his actions did not leave a family grieving for their loved one.”

Anyone with concerns about drug dealing or information about road safety concerns is asked to report it online at www.northants.police.uk/reportonline or call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Always call 999 in the event of an emergency, such as a crime in progress or where life is at risk.