Drug Dealer Rams Police Cars in Daring Escape Bid
Kai Austen, 19, used a Range Rover to smash into a police vehicle and damage two more during a frantic getaway. The Tunbridge Wells drug dealer also nearly hit a member of the public in his reckless rush to evade arrest.
Wanted for Drugs, Bailed, Then Breached – Chaos Ensues
Austen had been on the run after his DNA matched cannabis and cocaine seized in Tunbridge Wells. Initially arrested in September 2021 with incriminating phone evidence linking him to a wider narcotics ring, he was released on bail. But he soon broke bail conditions tied to another probe, forcing police to hunt him down again.
On 8 December, officers spotted Austen behind the wheel of a Range Rover in Hastings Road, Flimwell, Sussex. Instead of stopping, he floored it and rammed three police cars. A witness barely dodged disaster and had to sprint to safety.
Jailed for Drugs, Dangerous Driving and Assaults on Police
Police finally stopped Austen by smashing his car window and disabling the engine. At Maidstone Crown Court, he admitted:
- Two counts of supplying cocaine and cannabis
- Four charges of possession with intent to supply
- Dangerous driving
- Three assaults on emergency workers
- Three counts of criminal damage
- Possession of a knife in public
He was sentenced to three and a half years in a young offender institution on 14 November 2022.
Police Warn Communities: Drug Crime Won’t Be Tolerated
“Kai Austen was running an extensive drugs network in and beyond Tunbridge Wells,” said Sergeant Ed Kavanagh. “He is dangerous and showed utter disregard for the safety of police officers by driving at them. His reckless actions also endangered a member of the public who narrowly escaped serious injury.”
“We will keep cracking down on drug dealers like Austen, whose crimes bring violence, antisocial behaviour, and misery to our communities.”
