Three teens armed with machetes took shelter in a residential block after a group of men - also armed - hunted them down.

Drug dealer Tyrese Aaron Tilley and two youths, who cannot be identified for legal reason, were walking through Swindon when they were threatened by a group.

The machete-wielding teens took shelter in a block of flats in Walcot, before the group hunted them down and attempted to bang down the door, CCTV shown to a court last week shows.

Tilley, who was later relocated to Salisbury for his safety, was caught around a year later using his home in Bemerton Heath as a drugs factory, cutting and packing Class A drugs.

Judge Jason Taylor QC said it was a “foolish” decision to get back into a life of crime after being arrested for the machete offence, and jailed him for more than four years.

Prosecutor Steven Attridge told Swindon Crown Court last Thursday (June 9) that Tilley, of Winding Way, had been walking in Walcot in February 2021 when the group found him.

It was later heard that Tilley had a drug debt, which was why he was carrying a machete, and that threats were made to his family members.

The group approached the door to the block of flats, and attempted to break in, with a machete going through the door. Meanwhile, the two youths held their machete above their heads whilst Tilley held the door shut.

CCTV footage shown to the court shows the group dispersing after seconds, before police later arrive and find the trio. Tilley’s machete was never found.

The youths, one from Swindon and one from Reading, were both given rehabilitation orders in separate court hearings earlier this year, after they admitted possession of an offensive weapon.

Just under a year later, police raided Tilley’s home in Salisbury.

“He runs towards the officer in attempt to get past, but he is restrained,” Mr Attridge said.

Officers searched the room, finding more than £2,000 of drugs – including cocaine and ketamine.

They also found knives, cash and drugs that were thrown out of the window into a neighbour’s garden.

Mitigating, Emma Handslip said that the now 20-year-old had been voluntarily working with the youth offending team and had not reoffended since these offences.

“He was making incredibly good progress,” Ms Handslip said. “There was a real break, but he said ‘I tried, I couldn’t get a job, I couldn’t get any money, I couldn’t resolve my debts, I’ve done the wrong thing and I know that.’”

Judge Taylor said that “a lengthy sentence cannot be avoided”.

Having admitted four charges – affray, possession of a weapon, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and possession of criminal property – he was jailed for four years and two months.

 

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