A MAN who was arrested for breaching a closure order at a suspected Forest drug den has been jailed for six months and banned from driving for five years.

Louis Bloomfield of Wyesham Avenue, Monmouth, but formerly of Sunny Bank, Coleford, was convicted of three counts of driving while disqualified, two counts of driving while under the influence of drugs and possessing an offensive weapon.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said the 39-year-old appeared before Cheltenham magistrates court after being charged with breaching a three-month closure order placed on the Sunny Bank property, which was considered as part of the sentencing.

“Bloomfield is a regular disqualified and drug driver, who posed a risk to the public,” they said.

“With the community’s help and persistent police work, he has received both a prison sentence and lengthy additional driving ban, helping to ensure the safety of the community.”

Police previously reported raiding the premises in Sunny Bank at the end of April and seizing a car and cash after numerous reports of drug use, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour at the address.

They subsequently obtained a three-month closure order from magistrates on Friday, April 26.

Bloomfield was arrested eight days later and charged with entering the premises in contravention of a closure order.

Police had raided the property after making numerous visits to it in response to reports of criminal activity, they said.

Sergeant Mark Burns said at the time: “For some time we have been receiving calls from concerned members of the public about activities at this address.

“We had attended numerous times and last week executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act where a quantity of cash and a vehicle was seized.”