A MAN who carried around a loaded gun in Bournemouth fled and evaded capture for more than a month has been locked up.

Jamieson Richards-Boyce, 26, ran away from police during a vehicle stop in December last year – leaving behind a loaded handgun and a trail of drug offences.

Appearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, July 17, Richards-Boyce pleaded guilty to three firearms offences and four class A drug offences relating to supply and possession.

Outlining the facts of the case, officers reported suspicious activity involving a vehicle in Lindsay Road on Boxing Day last year.

The vehicle came to a stop in the Beacon Road car park and Richards-Boyce, who was a passenger at the time, fled the area on foot.

A search of the vehicle was carried out and a rucksack containing a loaded handgun was found.

Bournemouth Echo: Handgun recovered from Jamieson Richards-BoyceHandgun recovered from Jamieson Richards-Boyce (Image: Dorset Police)

The defendant was tracked on CCTV and was later identified attending Bournemouth Travel Interchange to board a coach destined for London.

Numerous enquiries were carried out to locate Richards-Boyce, who was eventually arrested at an address in Norfolk on Tuesday, January 31.

Richards-Boyce had previously been arrested in December 2021 and released under investigation after community information led to a warrant being executed at an address in Bournemouth Road, Poole.

Crack cocaine and heroin was recovered, as well as a mobile phone, which contained messaging relating to drug dealing. Richards-Boyce was detained within the address and arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.

For the drugs and firearm offences, Richards-Boyce was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

Bournemouth Echo: Jamieson Richards-BoyceJamieson Richards-Boyce (Image: Dorset Police)

Detective Inspector Darren Moores, of BCP CID, said: “Dorset Police takes all reports of offences involving firearms extremely seriously.

“Following the proactive work of officers on Boxing Day, as well as detailed follow up enquiries by detectives, we were able to take a dangerous weapon off the streets.

“We will also continue to target anyone who is supplying drugs in our county and affecting the lives of our communities.

“I hope this case sends a clear message that we will act swiftly upon anyone who is found to be dealing drugs or carrying a prohibited weapon in Dorset.”