A DRUG dealer who drove off during a police stop and search will be sentenced at crown court.

William Quartley’s car was stopped after the noisy exhaust attracted the attention of police on the evening of Wednesday, February 11.

While speaking to the 22-year-old, of Chestnut Street, Drakes Broughton, officers smelled cannabis – a class B drug.

Sallie Hewitt, prosecuting, told Worcester Magistrates Court: “The two were asked if they wanted to hand over any illegal substances.”

Quartley handed over a herbal crusher, and officers placed it on the car’s roof while they looked at his driver’s licence.

But the front seat passenger bolted, tossing two bags as he ran for it. They were later found to be full of cannabis. One of the officers gave chase on foot, while the other tried to head off the suspect in his patrol car.

Sensing an opportunity, Quartley drove off and police dog teams, the West Mercia Police helicopter and other patrol cars were called in to head him off.

He was stopped and arrested but the herbal crusher was not found.

While in police custody officers searched his home in Chestnut Street, finding a locked safe.

“Quartley was contacted for the key code to open the safe, but gave a false combination,” added Miss Hewitt.

The house search turned up a key to the safe, which had 17.6g of cannabis inside valued at £125.

A mobile phone found on Quartley with numerous incriminating “text messages in its memory which were attributable to the supply of drugs,” said Miss Hewitt.

Asked by District Judge Bruce Morgan if he had anything to say, Quartley insisted he was only offering drugs so that in future he could get his fix.

Judge Morgan replied: “I regard this as sale on a commercial basis and you’ll be sent to the crown court.”

Quartley, who had already pleaded guilty to possession and offering to supply cannabis at an earlier hearing, was unconditionally bailed to the crown court for sentencing on Friday, October 30.