A wanted drug dealer who police had to warn the public not to approach has been caught and jailed.

Sonny Patience, 19, of Olyffe Avenue in Welling, had disappeared before he was due to appear in court charged with multiple counts of drug dealing, including crack cocaine and heroin.

The Welling teenager was supposed to be at Croydon Crown Court on March 8 but never showed up and police had to warn the public not to go near him.

Shortly after News Shopper wrote about his possible location in Woolwich on June 6, Patience was caught by police and finally reappeared at Croydon Crown Court on June 20.

READ MORE: Police warn public not to approach this Welling man with 'links to gangs' who may be Woolwich

He pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and resisting or obstructing a police officer, as well as breach of bail act order.

Patience was sentenced on June 22 to two and a half years in prison.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Andrew Payne from the Greenwich Gangs Unit said “I thank the public for their assistance for the appeal for information in locating Sonny Patience, he is now serving a significant prison sentence for the offences he has committed.”