A former rugby captain turned drug dealer led officers on a 140mph pursuit along the M56, dramatic dashcam footage shows. Maredudd Francis, 31, of Coed Aben, Wrexham, and ex-player for the Welsh rugby union team RGC, was found to have over £320,000 worth of class A and B drugs at his Wrexham home. He threw drugs out of his car window as he attempted to escape police during the chase. Francis only stopped after crashing his BMW, and was sentenced to four years today at Mold Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, and possessing criminal property.
Witnesses reported seeing Francis's driving as both reckless and dangerous. Prosecutor Josh Gorst noted, "...he reached speeds of 139mph on the motorway, deftly weaving through heavy traffic and narrowly avoiding accidents, including one with a large HGV. He was clearly taking drastic measures to evade capture, which is made evident through his actions of discarding drug packages out of his window during the pursuit.”
The chase began after police signaled for Francis to stop his vehicle near junction 11, where he made the dangerous decision to speed off instead of complying. His actions escalated to the point where he crashed at junction 10, slamming his car not only against another vehicle, a Toyota Hilux, but also against the metal barriers lining the road. The accident caused damage to the Hilux, leaving its two occupants described as ‘walking wounded.’
Upon exiting his vehicle, Francis surrendered to officers, folding his hands behind his back. Officers noted his bloodshot eyes and the strong smell of cannabis. Following the crash, police searched Francis's car, discovering multiple drug packages alongside £2,500 in cash, two iPhones, and designer goods.
A subsequent search of his residence revealed 668.5 grammes of cocaine with about 80% purity, evidenced to be the remnants of a 1kg block, worth up to £30,000 on the street. Alongside this were 378.9 grammes of cannabis with a street value of up to £3,560. Authorities seized not just drugs and cash, totaling £18,121.96, but also various luxury items suspected of being criminal property.
Francis's criminal history was brought to light during the hearing, with the court mentioning he had three prior convictions, the last being for wounding, which involved attacking a police officer. His defense attorney, Philip Tully, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting, “The defendant accepts only immediate custodial sentencing can be pursued here. He acknowledges his foolish choices and understands he must face significant penalties for his actions.”
Judge Niclas Parry explicitly addressed the impact of drug dealing, stating, “I suspect I do not need to tell you the harm these drugs cause our communities, not only impacting health but also affecting households and businesses who become victims of desperate drug users.” The court recognized the substantial monetary value of the drugs found, reinforcing Francis's role as a serious street dealer.
The judge added, “Your role was significant as a street dealer, and the amount of money seized confirms you were a serious player. This case is seriously aggravated by your dangerous driving.” Following the sentencing, Francis was banned from driving for two years, and he will need to pass an extended driving test upon his release.
After the sentencing, the case's ramifications extend beyond Francis himself. The authorities plan to have him return for proceedings related to the Proceeds of Crime Act, aiming to recover the financial advantages he gained through his drug operations. This case exemplifies not just the consequences of individual choices, but also the large-scale effects of drug trafficking on communities.
Overall, the saga of Maredudd Francis serves as yet another reminder of how dramatically life can change when individuals choose criminal paths, especially against the backdrop of their previous sports careers, and the severe penalties they can face as the judicial system seeks to uphold safety and order on the roads.