Hapless drug dealers' headlight howler leads to skunk seizure

Officers spotted the Ford Focus and ordered it to stop in Moseley Road, Bilston around 8.40pm on April 4 last year, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

But the car raced to nearby Newman Place where one of those in the vehicle – Luke Boden – leapt out and tried to run off, revealed Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting.

A £1,000 stash of cash was discarded under a wheelie bin and a bag with ten £10 street deals of skunk cannabis was also thrown away during the pursuit.

The 25-year-old had £334 cash on him when arrested.

A further £270 cash was hidden under the driver's seat and a cannabis grinder was in the front passenger door pocket.

Two bags of skunk along with 23 more £10 street deals were found during a search of the home of Nathan Cox, aged 22, and also travelling in the car.

The cannabis seized was worth up to £1,300, said Mr Soulsby who concluded: "The car was stopped because they were driving without headlights switched on."

Mr Jon Roe, for Boden, from Park Road, Lower Gornal, said: "When his cannabis use got out of hand he began dealing to fund the addiction.

"He now realises the folly of this and has not used the drug since last October."

Father-of-one Boden had a part-time job that was about to become full-time, continued Mr Roe who concluded: "He has turned his back on his former life and now hopes to become a law-abiding citizen."

Miss Saleema Mahmood, representing Cox of Glyn Avenue, Bilston, who was of previous good character, insisted: "This was a short-lived exercise he is determined not to repeat."

Both defendants admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply and were told by Judge John Wait: "This was a commercial enterprise but there appears to be real hope for both of you."

Each received a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months with a four-month night-time curfew.

Cox was also ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work.