A MAN wanted by police in connection with firearm offences tried to avoid capture by driving his BMW into oncoming traffic along a duel carriageway during rush hour, a court heard.

Tyrone Edwards was arrested on Friday, July 27, for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, disqualified driving and dangerous driving following an armed police operation in Wrexham.

The operation resulted in the A483 off-slip at the Ruthin Road interchange being closed for a short period of time while the incident was brought to a safe conclusion after officers were forced to ram their vehicle into Edwards' car as he tried the potentially lethal manoeuvre.

Appearing at Flintshire Magistrates Court, Edwards, 23, of Clwyd Wen, Hightown, admitted three counts of driving while disqualified, possession of cannabis and dangerous driving, following the incident which involved four armed response vehicles chasing him along the busy A483 at about 6.30pm.

The Mold court heard Edwards had previously been spotted on CCTV driving while disqualified at about 2.45pm on July 12 in Rhostyllen and at 3pm on July 24 on St John's Road, Wrexham.

Officers were alerted to the fact he was wanted in relation to ongoing firearms offences and due to previous police pursuits involving Edwards and his failure to stop in the past, an armed operation was instigated.

On July 27 at 6pm an APNR camera picked up Edwards driving along the A557 at Rocksavage near Runcorn and then again on the A483 near Rossett.

Four armed response vehicles gave chase towards junction 4 of the A483 where a police stinger device was readied but after spotting the spike strip, Edwards attempted what was described by Justin Espie, prosecuting, as "a J-turn" back down the slip road despite armed officers pointing their weapons at him and shouting at him to stop.

Video footage played to the court showed one police vehicle ram into the rear of Edwards' car before another pinned the vehicle and Edwards was apprehended.

Mr Espie, who praised the officers' quick thinking and bravery, added that on arrest Edwards was heard to swear at officers and urged the bench to reject any appeal for bail.

Andy Holliday, defending, said Edwards "fully appreciated the position he finds himself in" and asked Patricia Davies, the magistrates' chairman, to allow him to spend time with his girlfriend and family before the "inevitable custodial sentence".

Edwards swore again as he was taken into custody before sentencing at Mold Crown Court on August 23.