A DRUG dealer caught with more than £3,000 worth of cannabis stashed in a carrier bag has avoided prison.

Elliott Davidson was spotted by police as he walked through Thornaby and following a short chase he was apprehended and the officers discovered 383 grammes of the Class B drug packaged up in 'street deals'.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 30-year-old had a variety of different sized deals already prepared in the carrier bag.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, Davidson was arrested at around 11.40am on July 7 last year.

The defendant, of Atlantic Crescent, Thornaby, pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

The court heard he had two previous cautions for drug-related offences when he was a teenager.

Jonathan Walker, in mitigation, said police concerns about a business premises belonging to his client were irrelevant as it was connected to a failed fashion outlet he ran several years ago.

He said: "He has been very frank in his pre-sentence report – which is unusual."

Judge Deborah Sherwin said sentenced Davidson to eight months in custody, suspended for 18 months.

She also ordered him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and take part in a drug rehabilitation programme."