A drug-dealer found with more than £1,000 worth of cannabis and £1,200 in cash has been jailed for 10 months.

Dean Peter Barter, of North Shore Road, Ramsey, handed a bag containing drugs, cash and a lock knife to police before running off.

He was found a short time later.

More cannabis and cash was uncovered at his home.

The 42-year-old admitted three counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, one count of obstructing a drug search, one of possession of criminal property, one of possession of cannabis, and one of possessing a bladed article.

Advocate Paul Glover said: ’He is relatively low down in the pecking order of drug dealing.

’A low-level drug dealer, but involved with drugs nevertheless.’

We previously reported how, on September 1 at 3.45pm, police stopped Barter while he was riding a motorbike at Bircham Avenue Close in Ramsey.

He was said to be smelling of cannabis and as he approached police he handed them a backpack and his crash helmet.

Barter then ran off, jumping over a wall, but was located a short time later.

In the backpack police found snap bags containing cannabis.

The bags contained a total of 19.4 grams of cannabis bush, worth £396, and 1.8 grams of resin, worth £10.27. Also in the bag were a lock knife and some collectable coins.

Search

During a search of Barter’s home police found cannabis resin weighing 98.2 grams, worth £560.72, and six grams of cannabis bush worth £120.

Drug paraphernalia was also found as well as £1,200 in cash.

When interviewed, Barter said he ran from police because he wanted to keep them ’on their toes’.

He claimed the cannabis was for personal use and said he did not know that having the knife was illegal.

He said he was carrying the drugs because his property was not safe to store them.

Regarding the cash, Barter said he had inherited some money three years ago and the £1,200 was left from that.

He refused to give police access to his bank account.

The court heard that Barter was jailed for 12 months in 2013 for possessing criminal property and attempting to remove criminal property.

Barter’s advocate, Mr Glover, referred to a probation report which had said that Barter had suffered a significant breakdown in a personal relationship which had put him into ’emotional meltdown’.

The advocate said: ’Mr Barter says this has led to him re-entering the terrible world of the drug trade.

’He did run away from police. He stopped himself a short while later, it was a brief chase.

Regret

’He doesn’t know why he did it.

’He informs me the second he started running he immediately regretted it.’

Mr Glover said his client was working with the Drug and Alcohol Team after self-referring.

The advocate asked for the court to suspend any custody by way of a combination order as a direct alternative to custody.

But Deemster Alastair Montgomerie told Barter: ’I regret, from your point of view, I do not consider there is sufficient good reason to warrant suspending your sentence.

’In particular I bear in mind your previous conviction in 2013 which I have to say really goes against you today.’

The Deemster said he hoped that Barter would continue to work with DAT.

He added: ’You owe it to yourself to get clean and stay clean.

’It’s up to you if you want a life when you come out.

’I really do hope you don’t see me again but if you want to come back I’ll still be here.’