A MANCHESTER man who ran from police when stopped near Ambleside has been jailed for two and a half years for possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.

Billy Smith, of Lodge Road, Atherton, was stopped in February last year, before running from police officers who wanted to search his car.

The 26-year-old appeared before Cumbria Crown Court on Thursday, where he was jailed for two years and six months for possession with intent to supply cocaine and a class B drug.

The court heard how Smith was stopped on February 24 at around 10.30pm by officers on the A591 near Ambleside.

He was spoken to by officers at the road side and admitted to smoking a joint of cannabis.

Officers informed Smith that they were going to search his vehicle, and at that point he ran off.

They located mobile phones and a quantity of controlled drugs within the vehicle.

Police located Smith around four hours after he was initially stopped.

He was found at 2.30am in Ings and was arrested.

It was at this point officers found a check list and a sum of money in his wallet.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Andrew Wright said the force will pursue anyone connected with supplying drugs in the county. He also stated that the jail term handed down highlighted the consequences awaiting those involved in drug dealing.

He said: “Cumbria Constabulary is committed to pursuing anyone and everyone connected to the supply of drugs in the county and today’s result shows the consequences that await those who are caught being involved in dealing drugs.”