Reece Vella, 27, (pictured) was yesterday jailed for four years after admitting being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin at Worcester Crown Court

An ex-British solider who fled to Thailand and was arrested following the death of a prostitute has been jailed for four years in the UK for drug dealing.

Reece Vella, 27, fled to Thailand in late 2017 while awaiting trial for drugs offences in the UK.

While there, he was detained following the death of Wannipa Janhuathon, 26, who plunged to her death in January last year after the pair had 'strange and extravagant sex' on a balcony in the city of Pattaya.

He was eventually released without charge but it emerged during the investigation, that Vella - who is also a convicted rapist - was on the run from the UK accused of drug dealing.

He was escorted back to Britain by police and was yesterday jailed for four years after admitting being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin at Worcester Crown Court.

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Cole said: 'You were involved in a county lines operation, you played a significant role.

'You flew to Thailand, that was a deliberate action, you remained at large. You have shown remorse.

'I am satisfied these offences are so serious, only a custodial sentence can be imposed.'

The judge rejected submissions about him living in poor conditions in a Thai prison, saying: 'It was his choice to leave the country'.

While in Thailand, Vella was detained following the death of Wannipa Janhuathon, 26, (pictured) who plunged to her death in January last year after the pair had 'strange and extravagant sex' on a balcony in the city of Pattaya. He was released without charge

The court heard Vella, of Callow End, Worcestershire, originally denied the drugs charges but fled to Thailand ahead of his trial in October 2017.

As a result he also pleaded guilty to failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

That related to his sentence in a young offenders institution for rape and common assault in 2012, after raping a teenager when he became jealous over her at a party.

Vella was required to notify police if he ever intended to leave the country, but the former Royal Logistics Corps soldier travelled to Thailand instead.

Prosecutor William Dudley said: 'It was a deliberate failure to follow requirements. He was on bail. He absconded. He was avoiding justice.'

Mr Dudley said the drug offences took place in October 2016 when police were on patrol in Worcester and his car came to their attention.

He added: 'Police saw two men return to the vehicle, one of them was this defendant. This defendant got out the car and fled.

'There was a pursuit and an area search was carried out.

'Effectively it ended at a dead end. Two mobiles and £28 cash was on him, but behind a wall there were cling film with crack cocaine and heroin - with a combined value of £610.'

The sex worker plunged naked from the balcony of a fifth floor apartment (pictured) in tourist hot spot, Pattaya, and suffered severe head injuries and multiple fractures

Mr Dudley said his car was searched and underneath the steering wheel officers found kinder eggs, 'commonly used by drug dealers', that had traces of drugs on them.

He told the court the crown's submission was that he played a 'significant role in the street dealing operation'.

The court heard Vella also had a number of previous convictions include burglary, violence and indecent behaviour at a police station.

Mr Afzal, defending said: 'Mr Vella is a young man who had made some poor decisions.

'He had his head in the sand (when he left). He has had to endure in the last two years a very terrible and frightening experience.

'He was incarcerated in Thailand, he was kept against his will by the authorities.

'He denied any involvement in causing her death. He was released and immediately made his way to the British Embassy.'

Mr Afzal said his client had performed only a limited role in the drug operation, and had become involved as he was in debt to the drug dealers.