A DRUG dealer has been jailed after he crashed his car in Teignmouth on his way to deliver cocaine on New Year’s Day.

John McHardy had already attracted the attention of two police officers because of his erratic driving before he hit a wall in the town.

He was found with 17 snap bags containing cocaine and £460 cash, and more drugs and money were found when police raided his home.

Delivery driver McHardy was not a cocaine user but was bullied into dealing the drug to pay off debts he ran up through his heavy use of cannabis.

McHardy, 34, of Nelson Close, Teignmouth, admitted possession of a class A drug with intent to supply and was jailed for two years and four months by Recorder Mr Paul Dunkels QC at Exeter Crown Court.

He told him: ’I accept you got into dealing drugs through your own habit putting you in debt and you came under pressure to clear the debt through this involvement in dealing.

’I accept that since your arrest you have taken steps to turn your life around.’

Miss Francesca Whebell, prosecuting, said a police inspector and sergeant were driving through the centre of Teignmouth on January 1 when they noticed a car being driven in Quay Road and Exeter Road.

She said:"The car hit a wall and came to a stop. The driver exited the vehicle and the officers gave chase. Inside the car they found a plastic tub with snap bags containing a white powder and two mobile phones.

"While in custody £460 cash was located on the defendant. A search of his home revealed a sports bag containing £2,500 cash and a black balaclava containing bags."

She said the total amount of drugs was 45 grams with a street value of between £1,800 and £3,600.

Mr Jeffrey Segan, defending, said McHardy was a hard working man who developed a heavy cannabis habit and got into debt with dealers after losing his job.

He was pressurised into selling cocaine, but since his arrest he had given up all drugs and alcohol and was working hard at two different driving jobs.