A 31-YEAR-OLD man who collected drugs for a friend and threw the haul over a wall, has been jailed for nine months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Masood Acthar, drove the wrong way down a one way street, causing other vehicles to swerve, instead of pulling over when police asked him to stop and then ran away.

Sentencing him, Recorder Anthony Russell, QC, said the message must go out to the public that those involved in drugs would almost inevitably lose their liberty.

The judge said the amount of drugs involved -- totalling between £166 and £250 -- in 16 bags was not excessive, but the defendant had lied to the police about his involvement.

He said it was a serious matter when people were prepared to collect and deliver drugs on behalf of others although he accepted Acthar did it as a favour and did not receive payment.

Recorder Russell continued: "Drugs offences are prevalent in this country. Heroin is a dreadful drug, with dreadful consequences both to the people who use it and the people who suffer all sorts of other offences arising out of abuse of the drug."

He added the courts viewed very seriously any contact with drugs supply, although the defendant was much less involved than many who appeared before the bench..

Acthar, of Tremellen Street, Accrington, had earlier admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Acthar had pleaded guilty and had been successful in keeping out of trouble for five years, during which he had been employed.