A MAN stopped by police after a short pursuit was found to have cannabis and a knife.

Blackburn magistrates heard Abdul Ahad had a previous drug and knife related conviction.

Ahad, 26, of Kent Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, drug driving, possession of a knife in a public place and possession of cannabis. He was jailed for six months, banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge on his release.

Stacey Morrow, prosecuting, said a patrolling officer saw a car being driven extremely close to the vehicle in front.

A computer check showed there was no insurance and a marker to say it was cloned. The officer activated his blue lights and sirens but Ahad drove off. He made several turns before failing to give way at a junction and then turning back on himself.

“At one point he mounted the kerb and managed to squeeze through a gap between two bollards,” said Miss Morrow.

“The officer followed up a parallel street and eventually managed to detain the defendant when he drove into a dead-end.”

She said the knife was found in one of his pockets and a canister containing cannabis in another. Two more canisters of cannabis were found in the car.

Mohammed Farooq, defending, said when his client was followed by the police he became very nervous.

“He knows he should have stopped,” said Mr Farooq.

He said his client had been helping his brother doing some plaster boarding earlier in the day and the knife had been in his pocket since then.

“He says it was just forgetfulness,” said Mr Farooq.