Stephen McNally prosecutes £1 million super-strength heroin case

August 12, 2014

Stephen McNally from Exchange Chambers has prosecuted a Liverpool man who was caught with more than £1m of super-strength heroin after a five-mile police chase.

Ian Hayton, 43, sped through red lights, forced cars to brake suddenly at roundabouts and nearly mowed pedestrians down as he refused to stop for officers who spotted him on his phone at the wheel.

The Garston resident, whose girlfriend was in the front passenger seat, drove down the Knowsley Expressway at its junction with the M57, along Speke Road and Higher Road – even passing Halewood police station – before being blocked in traffic at Macketts Lane in Hunts Cross .

Searching the vehicle, officers pulled a black hold-all from the boot containing 20kg of import-quality heroin and an apparent tick-list of names and numbers of would-be customers.

Hayton was jailed for eight years at Liverpool Crown Court – with a judge allowing mercy after hearing the impact jail would have on his 22-year-old disabled son who required round-the-clock care.

Hayton, who admitted dangerous driving and conspiracy to supply drugs, was also banned from driving.