A 'THREE strikes' drug dealer is now behind bars after he ran away from police in Worcester and threw away his knife.

This was the third time Rory Allen had been caught dealing class A drugs which made him eligible for a longer sentence. Allen, who had only recently become a father-of-two girls, was jailed for five years and eight months at Worcester Crown Court today by judge Jim Tindal who told him: "You only have yourself to blame."

The 30-year-old of Cemetery Road, Wednesbury, was on licence and banned from Worcester when officers suspected he was dealing at the city's Foregate Street railway station on March 13 this year. He admitted being concerned in an offer to supply class A drugs (cocaine and heroin) between March 11 and March 14 this year, possession of a bladed article and possession of criminal property (£365) after initial denials.

James Bruce, prosecuting, said: "He (Allen) seems to put something in his mouth. He refuses to take his hands out of his pockets and, shortly thereafter, he pulls free and runs off."

During the chase he discarded a lock knife, the four inch blade open. When arrested as part of Operation Blade he was found with criminal cash of more than £365. Police also recovered two mobile phones which showed he had been advertising heroin and cocaine for sale, using the phone to take orders.

Allen has 31 previous convictions for 59 offences. He was jailed for five years in 2011 and four years in 2014 for possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He also has previous conviction for possession of an offensive weapon in 2008 and for possession of a bladed article in 2011.

Gareth James, defending, said: "He's not a main player. He's a foot soldier who is involved once again in the supply of class A drugs to feed his own habit."