A Thornton Heath drug dealer who armed himself with a stun gun disguised as an iPhone has failed to convince top judges that his jail term was too tough.

Last July, Glen Clifford Manders had to be chased by a police helicopter after hijacking a van.

London's Appeal Court heard on Thursday that Manders had been on bail for a previous offence when police found the disguised weapon in a kitchen cupboard after searching his Woodville Road flat on January 19 last year.

Then on July 14, and while still on bail, Manders called a "known supplier" of Class A drugs and asked to buy crack cocaine and heroin.

When the supplier arrived in a van, Manders pulled him out of the vehicle and got inside himself.

The victim suffered stab and slash wounds and Manders drove off in his van.

A police chase, involving the force helicopter, ensued and Manders reached speeds of up to 54mph in a 30mph zone, the court was told.

He was acquitted of wounding with intent, but was convicted of unlawful wounding and aggravated vehicle taking.

Manders admitted possessing the disguised firearm.

After being convicted, the 47-year-old was locked up for six-and-a-half years at Croydon Crown Court on January 17.

He had a "bad record" - with 28 convictions for 74 offences - including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, the court heard.

The judge who jailed him said the stun gun was "designed to frighten and injure if necessary anyone who crossed you as a result of involvement in the drugs world."

Manders had been stabbed himself in December 2015.

And the judge told him: "You armed yourself and were fully prepared to take the law into your own hands if necessary."

The disguised stun gun meant Manders faced an automatic minimum term of five years behind bars.

However, his lawyers argued today (September 21) there were "exceptional circumstances" in justifying a "shorter sentence."

They pointed to his guilty plea and a "considerable stretch" during which he had not offended.

Manders had only been "lightly convicted" for violence and weapons offences, the court was told.

He had "begun to turn his life around and provided mentoring in respect of drugs to others."

The stun gun was non-lethal and there was no evidence that it had been used.

However, Justice Simler, sitting with Justice Haddon-Cave, said Manders' mitigation was "unexceptional."

She added: "We are quite satisfied that the sentence of six-and-a-half years, to reflect the totality of this offending, is not arguable manifestly excessive."

"This appeal is dismissed."