Police hunt MMA cage fighter wanted over drugs crimes - but warn 'do not approach'
04.05.2022 - 15:07
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A manhunt has been launched to find a former Mixed Martial Arts cage fighting world champion. Darren Towler is wanted by police after being convicted of drugs offences.
He was found guilty of three counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs in his absence at Teesside Crown Court. Now police in Durham are trying to track him down ahead of his sentencing, reports Teesside Live.
The cage fighter, who lifted the UCMMA title in 2011, has had a remarkable fall from grace when he was caught transporting ecstasy tablets after a meeting at a Newcastle pub car park.
He was also found in possession of cocaine and cash when his Citroen Berlingo vehicle was stopped by officers outside the Toby Carvery pub in Kingston Park, Newcastle.
Towler was jailed in January 2016 for three years and three months after he was found with 12g of cocaine, £2,300 cash and 2,000 ecstasy tablets stashed in his car. He was let out on licence later that year.
Co-accused John McNaughton, 34 of Bethune Road, Middlesbrough, Anthony Thurlow, 28, of Hollyrood Court, Middlesbrough, Terrance Duffield, 42, of Clairmont Court, Thornaby, and Sean Hornsby, 48, of no fixed abode, were all found guilty of the offence.
Durham Police are now trying to find Towler, who hails from Consett, County Durham after he failed to attend his trial on March 22 this year for offences of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.
The trial was heard at Teesside Crown Court in his absence and on March 31, Towler was found guilty of three counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs. A sentencing hearing for Towler and his co-defendants is due to take place at Teesside Crown Court on May 12 and 13.
A Durham Police spokesman said: "Towler is described as 6ft 3ins tall and