A drug dealer from Hounslow who used a variety of false names to evade justice has finally been jailed for five years.

Howard Blackman, 42, of Shelly Crescent, had been on the run since February 2013 after walking out of court and breaching his bail condition.

The immigration overstayer first entered the country from Jamaica in 2001 using the name Owen Ewart but was deported shortly afterwards after exhausting his visa.

He returned calling himself Howard Blackman in 2002 and after again overstaying his visa had been sought by the UK Border Agency.

On two separate occasions he had been caught in possession of large amounts of crack cocaine and heroin as well as more than £1,000 cash. The offences happened between 2007 and 2011.

He was tried in his absence at Woolwich Crown Court in January this year and found guilty on all counts of drugs supply and money laundering.

After an appeal by police on BBC’s Crimewatch a tip-off led officers to a house in Union Street, Southwark, where Blackman was arrested and taken straight to Woolwich Crown Court for sentencing last Friday (8).

Judge Heathcote-Williams, handed Blackman a five year and three month long prison term.

Detective Constable James Lapham, from Southwark Drugs & Firearms Team, said; “Howard Blackman had avoided justice for many years, he was an active drug dealer who used a variety of aliases to successfully operate throughout the Southwark area.

“The Metropolitan Police is committed to tackling street crime and bringing those who supply Class ‘A’ drugs before the court, no matter how long ago the offences occurred.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who saw the Crimewatch appeal and had the courage to come forward with information that led to his capture.”