A COURT heard yesterday how a police chase led to the discovery of a huge haul of cannabis.

More than 100kg of the drug was found in the boot and back seat of the car after it crashed into the fence of Redcar racecourse.

Appearing for sentence at Teesside Crown Court was Ernest Robinson, 27, of Severn Road, Redcar, who admitted charges of possessing a Class B drug with intent and dangerous driving.

Robert Terry, prosecuting, told the court how, on May 29 last year, Robinson had been followed by police after he was seen speeding in Plantation Road, Redcar.

A police helicopter was also used in the chase, in which Robinson crashed his father's Vauxhall Vectra into a traffic island, bursting the tyres.

Despite the damage, he had driven on, eventually crashing into railings at Redcar racecourse, where he was arrested after trying to escape on foot.

Police found 399 bars of cannabis in the boot and a further 20 bars on the back seat in a holdall, the court was told.

Mr Terry said that the 104.3kg of cannabis had been estimated to have a street value of £450,000, with defence experts estimating the price between £40,000 and £60,000.

Mr Terry told the court that the day before his arrest Robinson had spent the night at the Hilton Hotel, at the Dartford tunnel, near London, and his car had contained a map of Sittingbourne, in Kent.

When apprehended, Robinson had £350 in cash in his possession and a £3,000 Rolex watch.

Judge Moorhouse sentenced Robinson to three years and nine months in jail for the drugs offence, and six months, concurrently, and a disqualification on the dangerous driving charge.

He ordered the destruction of the drugs and the confiscation of Robinson's £350 cash, the Rolex watch and his own VW Golf motor car.