A DRUG dealer who fled to Spain and stayed on the run from police for 15 months has been arrested at an airport after coming back to England to visit his sick mum.

Jonathan Tagart sold heroin to an undercover police officer six times in November and December 2009 but absconded from the country and never returned – even for his wife Sarah’s funeral.

But the 31-year-old Weymouth man was arrested by police at Bristol airport on his return and has now admitted all six offences of possession of the class A drug with intent to supply.

Magistrates at Bournemouth heard his pleas to be released on bail ahead of sentencing to see his terminally-ill mother but due to his disappearance last time round he was sent back to the cells to await sentence at the crown court next month.

Tagart was among the people targeted by Dorset Police in Operation Dismantle to crack down on drug supply.

And, like the long list of drug users and dealers arrested in the same operation back at the end of 2009 and start of 2010, Tagart will be expecting a ‘substantial’ prison term.

Magistrates heard how Tagart first sold 1.73 grams of heroin to the undercover police officer on November 9, 2009.

He sold 1.48grams on November 25, 1.39grams on November 30, 2.52grams on December 1, 1.38grams on December 2 and 1.45grams on December 14.

Prosecutor Nicola Reece said the charges speak for themselves and said that Tagart has a ‘long history’ of drugs offences.

She said: “The police said he has been on the run for 15 months until he returned to Bristol and was caught.

“During his time abroad his wife passed away and they expected him to return for her funeral but he didn’t and therefore stayed on the run.”

Simon Lacey, in mitigation, said at the start of 2010 Tagart was aware the police wanted to speak to him.

But he was assaulted and his wife’s jewellery was stolen by a man who also assaulted ‘several’ other people and was later jailed for four and a half years.

Mr Lacey said: “He was concerned that he might be assaulted or worse. He was very frightened of this man and that’s why he left the country and went to Spain.

“He didn’t come back for his wife’s funeral but he sent some flowers.

“His mother is very ill and he would describe her as terminally ill. He came back knowing the police would want to arrest him but so he can spend some time with his mother before she dies.”

District Judge Nigel Hodkinson dismissed the request for bail and remanded Tagart in custody.

He told him: “The offences are so serious that the sentencing goes way outside the power of this court.

“The nature of the offences and your record lead me to believe that the sentence will be substantial.

“You absconded before knowing proceedings were pending so under those circumstances I’m remanding you in custody.”

Tagart will be sentenced at Dorchester Crown Court on July 8.

Operation Dismantle

THE police crackdown on the supply of drugs in Weymouth and Dorchester resulted in the prosecution of 34 criminals.

The conviction of Jonathan Tagart was the last one outstanding and he is the 18th person to receive a prison sentence, which ranged from five years to 18 months. The police said that the convictions showed they would ‘not relent on their war on class A drugs’.

A total of 38 people were arrested in Operation Dismantle, and 34 of whom were prosecuted for drug offences while the other four were charged with non-drug related offences.

Swoop by UKBA

THE UK Border Agency said Tagart was arrested at Bristol airport about 1.20am last Thursday after he arrived on a flight from Spain.

The arrest was made by Avon and Somerset Police.

An agency spokesman said: “The arrest of Jonathan Tagart is an excellent example of the effectiveness of the UK Border Agency’s e-Borders system, which helps keep the public safe by targeting wanted criminals trying to enter or leave the country.

“Last year alone, 2,800 arrests were made, including people wanted in connection with 18 murders, 27 rapes, 29 sex offences, and 25 violent crimes.”