A man who jumped into the River Orwell to evade police has been jailed for seven years.

Kobe McKinlay, 24, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday, December 13.

He had previously been found guilty of two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

McKinlay was arrested on April 6, having been spotted making what was believed to be a drug exchange on the towpath of the River Orwell in Ipswich.

He was seen emptying his pockets when officers tried to stop him before he jumped into the river to avoid being detained.

He was subsequently rescued from the river before being arrested and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre.

A large quantity of small wraps were found in the area where McKinlay was seen to be emptying his pockets.

These were later confirmed to contain heroin and crack cocaine.

Sergeant Murray Osman said: “McKinlay was clearly intent on bringing these Class A drugs, which cause such misery onto our streets, into Ipswich, so it is pleasing to see him given such a lengthy sentence. 

“This was not McKinlay’s first drug-related offence, and this was recognised in the length of the sentencing."