A drug dealer caught when his house was sprayed with bullets later skipped bail and spent a decade on the run.
Mark Deary admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply in December 2011, but disappeared while awaiting his sentencing date, set for January 12, 2012. An arrest warrant was issued but Deary, of Allerford Road, West Derby, was eventually sentenced to seven years in prison in his absence.
Deary, now 43, was named alongside five others in an appeal for information on outstanding fugitives, dubbed Operation Hunted, issued by Merseyside Police earlier this month. Since then he was traced and appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.
READ MORE: Man shot with Glock used by Olivia Pratt-Korbel killer 'owed debt' to murder suspect
There was confusion over details of the case in court yesterday due to the age of proceedings but the paper court file was tracked down, enabling Judge Brian Cummings, KC, to confirm key details.
He pointed out that there was reference in the file to Deary making an unsuccessful passport application after he pleaded guilty, and before he absconded around the time he was due to attend a probation appointment.
Judge Cummings said: "It raises a relevant matter of intent. If there is a Bail Act offence it is clearly a very serious one given the extended time he has been at large and more serious if that sort of detail surrounded it."
Deary was not asked to enter a plea to the Bail Act offence but the judge made an imprisonment order in relation to the seven year term so he can start serving that sentence.
Paul Lewis, defending, had earlier told the court that Deary believed he had already been sentenced for failing to attend in January 2012.
Judge Cummings adjourned the matter until October 10 to enable more inquiries to be made by the prosecution including ascertaining the outcome of Proceeds of Crime proceedings.
Deary was first investigated in April 2010 after police received reports that his Allerford Road property had been shot at. A major investigation was launched and police raided a number of properties, including others linked to Deary.
At one address, also in West Derby, cocaine and cannabis worth a combined £200,000 were recovered and Deary was charged with supply offences.
READ NEXT:
Devastation as 'firecracker' aged just 24 dies on holiday
New £120m 'super restaurant' on the way in Liverpool
Matalan put up for sale as it hires former boss of New Look and The Range
Pair deny murdering man in shopping centre attack
Tributes to 'lad with heart of gold' who died in dirt bike crash
