A DRUG supplier who went “on the run” because he feared getting a minimum seven-year jail term was arrested at a hostel in London almost eight years after he failed to turn up at court.

Back in February 2019 North Yorkshire police issued an appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of Richard Mason after he had failed to turn up at Bradford Crown Court for his trial in June 2014. He was living in Skipton at the time.

Mason, who had been using a false name, spent some of his time at large living rough or sofa-surfing in the capital, but he was finally arrested 10 days ago after he revealed his real name to staff at the hostel.

After initially being remanded in custody at HMP Wandsworth the 50-year-old was brought back to Yorkshire late last week and admitted breaching his bail by failing to attend court for his trial.

Mason, who has previous convictions for drug dealing offences, was charged with a variety of offences relating to the possession with intent to supply of Class A drugs after various substances including Ecstasy and magic mushrooms were found in a rucksack in Skipton back in July 2013.

Today Mason, who is now remanded at HMP Leeds, appeared before the Recorder of Bradford Judge Richard Mansell QC and pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply them.

He also admitted a further six allegations of possessing various drugs of classes A, B and C.

As a so-called “three strikes” offender Mason would face a minimum jail term of seven years, but Judge Mansell adjourned sentence on him for six weeks and indicated that he was likely to take an exceptional course having heard about what’s gone on in Mason’s life since he went “on the run”.

The judge said Mason “didn’t fancy coming to the crown court” in July 2014 because he had been told it was a seven-year minimum term.

“He basically went off the grid for nearly eight years,” said the judge.

“He nearly died in January this year and was taken into a hostel in London.”

Mason will be brought to Bradford Crown Court on June 21 for his final sentence hearing after a report has been prepared on him by the probation service.

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