A teenage driver who had taken drugs led police on a chase as thousands of pounds worth of cannabis was thrown from the car, a court heard.

Drug dealer Cameron Poole, 18, was behind the wheel of VW Golf as another man threw seven ounces of the drug onto the street, a court heard.

The teenager, who was described as the ‘right hand man’ to the leader of the small-scale drug operation, hit speeds of 40mph in quiet residential streets as he tried to evade police, prosecutors said.

The pursuit ended in a cul-de-sac, where Poole tested positive for cannabis and was later found to be more than three times the drug driving limit.

At Chester Crown Court Poole, of Knutsford Road, Chelford, admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply, careless driving and drug driving.

He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and was also ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for 12 months.

Frances Willmott, prosecuting, said: “On September 3, last year, at 11.45pm police saw a car driven by the defendant in Congleton. The rear passenger was trying to hide. The vehicle accelerated away from them. The man was throwing cannabis out of the window. Police recovered seven ounces, worth £2,500.

“The car was veering across the road, cutting across junctions without stopping or indicating. It then turned into a dead end. The distance travelled was 740 metres at speeds of up to 40mph.”

The court was shown footage from the police car’s cameras showing the dramatic chase and the drugs being flung into the street.

Ms Willmott said: “The car smelled strongly of cannabis and Poole had glazed eyes.

“Police recovered Poole’s mobile phone which had messages related to drug dealing, suggesting he was driving people or drugs around.

“Poole is considered to have had a lesser role in the drug supply operation as a driver who was paid.”

Michael Whitty, defending, said: “He has done something immensely foolish and let down himself and his family.”

Judge Nicholas Woodward agreed Poole had the lesser role but insisted the teenager was the ‘right hand man’ to the other drug dealer.

Sentencing he added: “You drove carelessly under the influence of cannabis, which is an issue of public safety.”