A pair of bungling drug dealers have been locked up for a total of 10 years.

Lewis Ayre, 23, and Dominic Daly-Vint, 30, were found dealing heroin and crack cocaine in their home town of Banbury at the start of last year.

In February, Oxford Crown Court heard how police spotted the men selling drugs to addicts in March 2021. The pair took a taxi back to a house in the town, which was later raided and a drugs stash found.

The burner phone, used to arrange drug deals, was left in the back of the taxi.

READ MORE: Drug dealer Lewis Ayre's girlfriend issues ultimatum as he returns to court

On March 30 last year, when Ayre was arrested he made an ill-fated escape bid. He ran from a taxi, where he had been placed in handcuffs by the police, but was caught around 10m away.

Ayre, of Fisher Close, Banbury, admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and escape. On Friday, Judge Nigel Daly sentenced the twice-convicted drug dealer to five-and-a-half years’ imprisonment.

Daly-Vint, of Dover Avenue, Banbury, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. He was jailed for four-and-a-half years.

A third defendant, Samantha Halliday, 30, of Hornton Drive, Banbury, played a lesser role in the two men’s activities.

Judge Daly sentenced her to two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years, with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 240 hours of unpaid work.

The woman, who admitted supplying class A drugs, was not given a formal drug rehabilitation order. The judge instead urged her to address her ‘problem with drugs’ voluntarily with the help of addiction charity Turning Point.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward