Jailed: Shrewsbury man, 24, had cocaine worth thousands in his car
A Shrewsbury man has been jailed for 16 months after being caught with between £2,000 and £4,000 worth of cocaine in his car.
Jamie Roberts, 24, of Kynaston Road, pleaded guilty to possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.
He admitted possessing cocaine with the intent to supply it to friends and use some himself, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.
The court also heard that he had a previous conviction for supplying drugs.
Prosecuting, Kevin Jones, told the hearing: "On December 31 officers were working in a marked vehicle.
"They stopped a BMW in Telford Way, Shrewsbury, and the defendant got out of the car and tried to get over the safety barrier.
"As he did so he seemed to throw something away.
"When he was caught he admitted throwing two bags over the fence and was found with £268.27 of cash on him."
Mr Jones said police estimated the 50g of cocaine Roberts had was worth between £2,940 and £4,200.
Adrian Roberts, defending, said the offence was committed on New Year's Eve after Roberts had gone to Telford shopping with his wife.
He said: "While in Telford he collected some drugs for his friends and himself.
"He was simply doing a favour during a difficult time in his life."
Mr Roberts added: "The reason he was taking cocaine was because his father died in March 2015 after being diagnosed with cancer on his brain.
"His dad was his best friend and he found it difficult coping with his death.
"He hasn't taken cocaine since December 2015 and is now clear of drugs.
"He has had counselling for bereavement and has broken away from the peer group he was associated with at Christmas."
Judge Peter Barrie said Roberts was found with a significant quantity of high purity cocaine.
He added: "This was a significant quantity of a drug that you were going to share around friends.
"This was a class A drug and although I have a lot of sympathy around your bereavement and personal difficulties I have to balance this against your previous conviction of being involved in supply of illegal substances."
Judge Barrie also made an order for the forfeiture of the £268.27 and forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.