Drug dealer caught after nearly crashing into police van

Matthew Morris-Jones, aged 22, careered round a corner driving a Honda Civic to discover the marked vehicle parked across part of Mount Road, Bilston, while officers dealt with an unrelated public order incident around midnight on June 25 last year.

"The car approached at speed before stopping just short of the van," said Mr John Brotherton, prosecuting. "The driver then reversed at speed and turned into Turner Avenue with smoke coming from the tyres and the car fish-tailing."

Police lost the car but quickly discovered where Morris-Jones lived and found the stationary Honda Civic on a communal car park. He admitted that he had panicked.

A search of his car and home revealed two mobile phones, bags of cannabis with a street value of £250, a weighing tray, a Coca Cola can with a secret compartment and a dealer list.

Mr Brotherton continued: "When questioned by police the defendant said that he had panicked when he saw the police officers because he was in possession of drugs. He had two mobile phones and messages found on them were consistent with the supply of drugs. Police took his car from him."

Mr Rashid Mohammed, defending, explained: "He started using cannabis after being injured in a motorbike accident five years ago. He broke a leg, his wrist and received a serious jaw injury and the cannabis was intended to help with managing the pain. Next he started shared it with his friends and then, when money got tight, he began charging them for the drug."

He added: "The careless driving only lasted for a short distance."

Father of one Morris-Jones, of Lomond Road, Sedgley, who had no previous convictions for drug offences, pleaded guilty to careless driving and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

He was given a 10 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months with a three-month night-time curfew. A Proceeds of Crime hearing will decided at a later date if his car, currently held by the police, should be seized permanently.

Judge James Burbidge QC told him: "You were driving idiotically at an inappropriate speed. The police attempted to follow you. You drove out of sight but were seeon traced. One of the reasons youngsters have to pay a lot of money to insure a car is because of this sort of driving by people like you.

"You also had a loyal customer base for cannabis, according to your dealer list which indicates you were dealing in a significant way. But you are very immature and there is a chance that you will now start to grow up."