A Haslingden man who was found to be in possession of class A drugs and a Zombie-style knife has been sentenced at the second attempt.

Jake Harper, 24, was set to be sentenced last Friday (April 26) along with co-defendant Logan Gilheaney when they were due to appear at Burnley Crown Court.

Gilheaney was jailed along with a co-defendant in another case, Ian Gilheaney, for his role in these offences as well as a large affray.

Harper refused to attend court on that date, with Recorder John Jones giving him one final chance to appear on Thursday, May 2, before he would proceed to sentence in his absence.

At last week’s hearing, Clare Thomas, prosecuting, said on November 23 last year at around 1.30pm, police followed a Citroen vehicle being driven by Gilheaney, with Harper also in the car, along the M55 towards Blackpool.

After trying to evade police at a set of traffic lights, Gilheaney attempted to run from the car but was detained along with Harper.

Inside the car, police found weighing scales, a knife, and plastic tubs of brown and white powder.

In total, there were 60 knotted packs of diamorphine worth between £720 and £750, and 105 packages of crack cocaine, around 8g in total, valued at around £1,050.

Harper, of Broadway Crescent, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs as well as possession of a bladed article.

Recorder Jones sentenced Harper to three years in prison.