A DRUG dealer caught with 50 bags of cannabis has been given the chance to turn his life around by a judge.

Jay Thompson was spotted by police loitering on a street corner near Darlington town centre but before they had the opportunity to speak to him he legged it and threw a package into the river.

When officers eventually caught after a foot chase it was discovered that he had the 50 cannabis deals on him as well as £285 in cash, three packets of ketamine and a mobile phone.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 26-year-old was dealing in the Class B drug to fund his own habit when he was arrested in September last year on North Road.

Dr Chris Wood, prosecuting, said: "The defendant on seeing the officer ran off on foot, the office chased and whilst running the defendant was seen to throw an item into the river.

"The officer caught up to the defendant, detained him and the defendant told him he had discarded a 'bud' taken to mean cannabis.

"Whatever was thrown into the river wasn't recovered but during a search the officer found 50 bags of cannabis."

The court heard how Thompson also had a book with weights and measures written down while analysis of his mobile phone showed he was supplying drugs around the town.

Thompson, West Moor Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Kelleigh Lodge, in mitigation, said her client has settled down and is now drug free.

She added: "He has turned his life around by managing to gain employment with Argos and was required to do drug tests as part of his employment."

Judge Timothy Stead sentenced Thompson to eight months in custody, suspended for two years. He said: "A lot of people who engage in drug trafficking, including Class B, go straight into immediate custody.

"To be fair to you, you are showing signs that you are pulling yourself together, you are in a steady relationship and you are now working."

He was also ordered to attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days to address his offending.

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