Banged up: Some of the Black Country criminals who are now behind bars after busy month for police
The first month of the new year has been a busy one for cops across the Black Country.
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From drug dealing and burglary to strangulation and assault, courts have been packed since the start of the year as crime fighters work to keep residents and visitors safe.
And with daily updates on the hard work being done by our emergency staff, sometimes it's handy to have a broader look at just how many convicted criminals have been removed from the streets.
Here's a look back at the people who have been successfully jailed after committing crimes.
Cocaine dealer caught selling drugs in Rugeley jailed for three years
Ervin Billa was stopped by officers from Staffordshire Police on the car park of the Plaza Wetherspoons in Rugeley in October last year and was found to have 15 separate deals' worth of cocaine on him, as well as a phone and a Romanian passport in another person's name.
The 23-year-old, of no fixed address, was also found to have a car registered in that name and was arrested and charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine, possessing identity documents with intent, knowingly entering the UK in breach of a deportation order, using a motor vehicle without a licence and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance.
Billa pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to three years in prison at Stafford Crown Court.
Driver jailed following 140mph M6 pursuit near Stafford
Lewis Moore was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison at Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates Court after admitting dangerous driving, failing to stop when required by a constable, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.
The 34-year-old, from Neston in Cheshire, was also disqualified from driving for 14 months following the incident, which happened near Junction 14 on the northbound M6 on December 30.
Moore was behind the wheel of a blue Ford Fiesta ST when he refused to stop for officers from the Staffordshire Police road crime team (RCT) and proceeded to reach speeds of 140mph and used the hard shoulder to undertake vehicles in his way.
The Fiesta eventually came to a stop near Junction 16 when it ran out of fuel and Moore was arrested at the scene.
West Midlands car thieves jailed for 16 and a half years
