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Dear Resident,
For the first time in our commitment to tackle rural crime, a man has been given a driving ban as part of his sentencing for drug-dealing.
Lewis Alder, 30, of no fixed address but linked to Witney, was sentenced on 2 October at Oxford Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, namely cannabis.
Alder was arrested by our Rural Crime Taskforce on 27 February last year in Cassington following proactive patrols and a stop and search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Officers discovered a large quantity of cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and multiple mobile phones used for dealing.
Alder was sentenced to 6 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must complete 120 hours of unpaid work within a year, and he's been banned from driving for 18 months.
He must also take part in rehabilitation activities, and the court ordered the forfeiture of drugs and equipment used in the offence. On top of that, he was fined and must pay a surcharge of £154.
This marks the first time our team has secured a driving disqualification as part of sentencing for a rural crime offence. It’s a tactic we’re committed to using more often to disrupt criminal activity that relies on vehicles, whether it’s drug dealing, remote burglaries, or hare coursing.
Investigating officer PC Lewis Tillyer, of the Rural Crime Taskforce, said: “This case is a strong example of our commitment to tackling all forms of criminality within rural communities.
“Lewis Alder was actively involved in the distribution of drugs across villages and towns, and I’m proud to have played a role in bringing that to an end.
“Securing a driving disqualification for Alder is a positive outcome and this kind of disruption tactic is one our team intends to apply to other offences impacting rural areas.”
Kind Regards, | 
