Drug dealer jailed after being found in bushes in Norwich

Michael Katindi, 34, was found in undergrowth in the Mile Cross area of Norwich after he abandoned his Range Rover Sport following a police pursuit. 

Norwich Crown Court heard officers followed a "breadcrumb trail of evidence", including finding sliders Katindi had been wearing on his feet when he ran along Boundary Road.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) After the vehicle was abandoned in Rye Avenue officers also found residential CCTV footage showing Katindi running along Marshall Avenue when he threw away what appeared to be a white ball.

John Morgans, prosecuting, said the package was found to contain £2,000 worth of cocaine. 

After finding Katindi in the bushes officers asked him what he was doing there on a wet day in his socks and he claimed to have been "at his missus'" address.

Mr Morgans said the incident - on May 11, 2022 - had started when Katindi's Range Rover Sport came to the attention of police on Drayton Road.

When police attempted to stop the car by illuminating their lights and sirens Katindi accelerated away from them turning right into Fenn Crescent - a narrow residential road with vehicles parked on either side.

It then re-joined the A1067 Drayton Road at speed before going the wrong way around the Mile Cross roundabout, narrowly avoiding other vehicles.

Police located the abandoned vehicle before later finding Katindi in the bushes.

Michael Katindi (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) Katindi, formerly of London, was found guilty of dangerous driving and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine following a six-day trial at Norwich Crown Court which ended on Monday.

Katindi, who was represented by Huda Musa, was jailed for a total of seven years by Recorder John Hardy.

It was Katindi's third conviction for drug supply, meaning he faced a minimum seven-year sentence.

Katindi was also disqualified from driving for four and a half years.