Sussex Police have at last located 39-year-old Richard Blackwood. He had been sentenced in May of last year in his absence at Hove Crown Court to a total of three and a half of years jail time.

Blackwood who was wanted by police due to his failure to attendĀ court and breach of his bail conditions had been charged with drug dealing and money laundering. He has nowĀ been arrested and will start his original sentence plus four extra months for breaching his bail by failing to turn up.
Blackwood, who had previously resided in Greentrees Crescent, Lancing, absconded whilst on bail followingĀ his declaration of his own evidence during the second week of his case back in March 2015.
Two months later in his absence he was sentence to 3 and a half years imprisonment after being found guilty of possession of cannabis with intent to supply, one year concurrent for money laundering, a four-year disqualification from driving under Section 146 Power of Criminal Courts Sentencing Act 2000 ā which was actually given due the fact it was believed vehicles were used frequently during the course of his drug dealing,Ā and a five year Financial Reporting Order under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
Melissa Miller, 30, his fellow defendant and partner also received a six month prison sentence which was suspended for two years, who was also found guilty of money laundering.
Ricky Lloyd, a third defendant, had previously pleaded guilty possession of cannabis with intent to supply in association with Blackwood. Lloyd has been handed 12 months imprisonment, which was suspended for two years.
Luke Pullen who was also charged with a similar offence back in July 2012 where Blackwood and Lloyd were known as accomplices but was found not guilty. He had previously pleaded guilty to another similar offence back in September 2012 where he was handed a 15 month sentence which was suspended for two years.
Blackwood was found on 20 July this year where he was spotted by Metropolitan Police officers driving in Croydon by theirĀ South East Road and Traffic Policing Command who flagged down the vehicle as it had been suspected it was involved in a criminal investigation in the Croydon Borough area.

Upon pulling Blackwood over officers from the Metropolitan Police force discovered he was disqualified from driving and wanted by Sussex Police.
Blackwood was sent back to prison a fortnight ago at Hove Crown Court where he was also handed an additional four month imprisonment for failing to comply with his court bail during his March 2015 trial.
Detective Constable Jon Freeman, of the Brighton Organised Crime Investigation Team said; “We worked closely with our colleagues from the Sussex Serious Organised Crime Unit and Economic Crime Unit, which resulted in Blackwood’s conviction.
“We’d also like to thank the Metropolitan Police officers whose diligent and thorough work enabled us to bring Blackwood back to Courtā