FORMER Gloucester gang leader Ashley Nicholls-Perry, 22, has been jailed for cocaine dealing and having a knife outside Capones club in Dursley.

At Gloucester crown court today he was given a two year and nine month prison sentence despite telling Judge Jamie Tabor he had put gangster life behind him.

He said he had not been in contact with members of Other People's Money for two years and is now planning to get rid of his affiliation tattoos.

Prosecutor Paul Cook told the court that police were called to Capones on February 1 where they saw the defendant outside.

"He told police he had no drugs on him, but police found some wraps," said Mr Cook. "He was told he was going to be arrested and he struck out with a clinched fist and tried to make off.

"Officers tried to restrain him and he was shouting 'I will stab you'.

"When he was searched they found a kitchen knife in his trouser lining near to his right shin."

Mr Cook said the officers discovered 1.91 grams of cocaine.

There were text messages on his phone indicating he was supplying both cocaine and cannabis.

The court heard Nicholls-Perry had previous convictions for violence, being in possession of imitation guns, drugs and for breaching a gang injunction.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC said it was clear Nicholls-Perry, of Ince Castle Way, Gloucester, had potential to live a better life.

He said: "He has got wrapped up with this hideous gang and cannot get out of it or doesn't want to – I don't know which it is.

"Does he not realise OPM is simply going to lead to him spending his life in prison?

"This gang are like a cancer in this town and until he gets away from them his mum is going to have to continue to sit in this court room.

"Violence, guns and drugs equals OPM as far as I am concerned.

"As long as you are associated with that gang you are going to keep going back to prison."

But Nicholls-Perry told the judge he was no longer part of the gang, adding: "I want to do this thing where I go and talk to children about gangs.

"I have not been involved with OPM for two years. I have broken away. I have still got a tattoo but I want to get rid of it.

"I don't want to be like them. They are all in their 30s and they haven't got jobs – they've got nothing to be proud of."

The judge told him getting away from the gang would be wise as they were "public enemy number one" in the city.

He said he refused to believe Nicholls-Perry explanation that he had the knife because he had found it discarded in the club and so put it in his pocket.

The judge jailed him for two years and nine months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place, possession of cocaine with intent to supply and obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty.