THE long arm of the law finally caught up with a man on probation, despite him having seemingly changed his ways, a court heard.

Emmanuel Bayeto, 21, was sentenced to two years in jail after pleading guilty to two charges of possessing heroin and cocaine, with intent to supply.

Winchester Crown Court heard how police spotted him behaving suspiciously in Hyde Street, Winchester on February 27 last year.

Officers chased him down the street, but he evaded arrest by jumping a wall behind the toilet block at the library in Jewry Street.

Though Hampshire police were unable to catch him, they found a number of wraps of heroin and cocaine had fallen from his pocket during his escape.

He was caught through CCTV footage and DNA analysis of the bag, the court heard.

Bayeto had been serving a 12-month suspended prison sentence for carrying a lock-knife and a bullet cartridge in London at the time of the incident.

Donal Lawler, mitigating, said Bayeto had led a far more constructive and positive life after going back to London, until his arrest in December.

“Mr Bayeto was using that close shave to the good because, subsequently to February, he was continuing on probation.

“He finds himself in somewhat of an awkward position. He went into a state of denial and life was moving on.

“Ten months after the blemish, he thought he could put it behind him, then the long arm of the law reaches out and takes him.”

Sentencing Bayeto, of Savannah Close in Southwark, Judge Keith Cutler acknowledged the defendant’s recent voluntary work at the Damilola Taylor Centre.

“I do have some sympathy for you and I’m pleased to hear that as far as the probation records are concerned there’s no record of you failing.

“I agree with Mr Lawler; you have shown complete remorse so early on.”