Leeds drug dealer chased by his pet dog and police officers when he ran from car after being caught selling cannabis

Rhian Coleman attracted the attention of a police officer when he overshot a junction in his orange Seat Leon on Harrogate Road, Moortown.

The officer also saw the a dog was loose on the back seat of the vehicle and decided to pull him over.

Jade Edwards, prosecuting, said the officer approached the car and noticed a strong smell of cannabis.

Ms Edwards said Coleman appeared "impatient" and the officer decided to conduct a search of the car then called for another officer to assist him.

The prosecutor said the officers found a lunch bag on the back seat which contained individual cannabis deals worth £680 in total.

As the drugs were being retrieved from the car Coleman ran off onto Moorland Drive.

The defendant's dog and the two officers chased after him.

The officer used PAVA spray in a bid to subdue him but Coleman managed to get away when his trouser leg ripped off during the struggle.

Coleman was found moments later hiding in bushes in the car park of a block of flats.

Ms Edwards said the defendant was still suffering from the effects of the spray.

Two mobile phones and £600 in cash was found on the floor nearby.

The officers returned to the car to continue the search and found a kitchen knife with a five-inch blade. A hammer was also in the glove box.

The mobile phones were analysed and found to contain messages indicating that Coleman had been operating a 'ring and bring' drug supply line.

Coleman, 32, of East Moor Crescent, Roudhay, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article.

Glenn Parsons, mitigating, said his client had been out of trouble for almost a decade and had been working as a pizza shop manager.

Mr Parsons said Coleman became involved in drug dealing after getting into debt.

Coleman was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC said: "You risked so much for so little. Having amassed debts, you began to deal cannabis to support yourself."