Drug smuggler who evaded jail for 15 years could be found in seconds online

A DRUG smuggling pensioner hid from the law for 15 years – even though he could be found in seconds on the internet. Fugitive John Henry Charles Price went on the run when he absconded from court in 1997. He was standing trial after being stopped at Dover with 10,000 Ecstasy pills worth £150,000. But rather than heading for the Costa Del Sol, or South America like Ronnie Biggs, the Englishman simply moved 200 miles to Powys, where he lived openly under his real name, paid taxes, insured cars and even voted. The elderly crook was finally nabbed in the garden of his Mid Wales home last week and jailed for 12 years. But a quick search by Wales on Sunday revealed he was listed on directory enquiries as living at Old Forest Farm, in Clyro, until 2008. And last week, the 72 year old was living barely a mile away at tumbledown Hendom Cottage, where his past finally caught up with him. Oliver Kirk, representing him in Canterbury Crown Court, told the judge: “He moved to the Welsh borders where he has voted, paid his tax, insured vehicles and received medical treatment using his real name yet was not arrested.” Price, from Strood, Kent, seemingly lived as a model citizen in the village near Hay-on-Wye after fleeing justice. He did not resurface until last week when he was visited by cops after a tip off. Now stooped over and walking with a stick, he is a far cry from when he was sentenced in his absence by Judge Jonathan Langdon on April 8, 1997. However, despite having been jailed for 12 years, having smuggled a huge amount of drugs into the country and having been a wanted man for 12 years, there is no available picture of Price. Speaking to us after the case, his lawyer Mr Kirk said: “They came and arrested him when he was sitting sunning himself in his garden.” Mr Kirk said he did not know exactly why the sudden movement in Price’s case, but added: “It was just decided they would have a look at some old warrants that had been lying around.” Price was arrested by Dyfed-Powys police officers after being told of his whereabouts by HM Revenue and Customs. But the force said investigating his whereabouts had never been down to them. Kent Police said likewise. A spokeswoman said: “It’s not Kent Police. It’s an HMRC job because it is their investigation. “You need to speak to them.” A HMRC spokesman said: “There were all sorts of searches for him all over the place and that was the result. “How we got to him in Wales I really don’t know. I’m not sure we would release that.” But when Wales on Sunday told customs Price was listed on 192.com, the spokesman said: “I see what you mean.” Price had made no attempt to disguise himself while on the run. “He had not grown a beard or left the country,” Mr Kirk said. “He paid his tax and no-one ever located him. “He was very philosophical about it. He had always known that the knock might come at some stage. “To be honest, I rather sort of think he made the best decision under the circumstances. “He is now a very sick man. He is likely to die in prison because he is going to have to serve eight years of a 12-year sentence. “Some might say he made the right choice. He is going to be looked after extra well in prison. If there is any medical attention he needs the prison will provide it. “He is in the best possible place.” Price was said to be most unhappy about the fact he had ever been found guilty at all. “He was fairly aggrieved at being convicted in the first place,” Mr Kirk said. “But I pointed out there is a 28-day time limit for filing grounds of appeal for conviction.” It is understood Price earned a living working as an agricultural engineer repairing tractors while in Wales and went by the name Charlie. One neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said: “He was a lovely old chap but he was not in the best of health. “I was quite shocked by the whole thing. “He didn’t seem like the type. I didn’t even realise it was him until you pointed it out. “He just kept himself to himself.” Another said: “He used the name Charlie.” Hendom Cottage is now fairly run-down, with the name marked on a small wooden sign in the porch window. The grass is long. Tulips and wild flowers are growing. Inside is a desk covered with documents and DVDs. There was a letter marked “John H Price” on a windowsill. Neighbours looked for Price when he went missing last week, concerned something had happened to him. It later turned out he had been arrested. Another neighbour said: “He is not a drug smuggler. There were circumstances at the time. “He is a lovely chap and he has got a lot of good friends around here. We all support him.”