A 42-year-old man has been jailed after pleading guilty to multiple drug offences.

Darren James Mccash, of Napier Road, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday (6 January) for sentencing.

This follows an incident on 28 November 2025, when two Roads Policing Unit officers stopped a Mercedes just off Burnetts Lane in Hedge End after receiving information linking the vehicle to drug supply in Southampton.

Inside the car, officers found £790 in cash and a smartphone. Mccash claimed the money was savings and that he was heading out to do Christmas shopping. He was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs and for possession of criminal property.

While waiting for transport to custody, Mccash attempted to run from officers. He made it around 200 yards before being stopped again, but continued to struggle. During the confrontation, one officer fell to the ground with Mccash on top of him, where he pushed his hands and handcuffs into the officer’s face. Additional officers arrived to assist and were able to detain Mccash, however one officer suffered a suspected broken thumb, along with cuts and bruising to his forearm.

A later search of Mccash’s home uncovered around one kilogram of suspected cocaine, cannabis packaged in bags and tubs, a number of pills and other suspected drug substances, £12,000 in cash, two prohibited knives, scales and deal bags, as well as a range of high‑value designer items including a Rolex watch.

In court Mccash pleaded guilty to:

• Possess with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – Cocaine
• Acquire / use / possess criminal property
• Possess a controlled drug of Class B – Cannabis
• Assault by beating of an emergency worker
• Possess a flick knife or gravity knife

He was sentenced to 4 years and 10 months in prison.

Eastleigh CID Detective Sergeant Dawn Capper, who led the investigation, said “This case has taken a significant amount of harmful drugs out of circulation and ensured a dangerous individual is now behind bars.

“No emergency worker should be subjected to violence. It is not, and never will be, part of the job description. The sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of his behaviour, and we will continue to target those who choose to bring drugs and violence into our communities.”