A CRADLEY Heath man caught with cash and drugs worth more than £7,000 after a high speed police chase has been locked up for three years four months.

Drug dealer James Chater hit 70mph in a built-up area and went through traffic lights on red after evading an attempt by police officers to block in his Seat Leon in Halesowen.

But he was finally nabbed, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told, after abandoning the vehicle in the middle of Stourbridge Road and running off into nearby woodland.

When the officers searched his car they found £5,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis together with nearly £1,000 in a haversack, said Sati Ruck prosecuting.

She said Chater was also found to have an extendable baton while a kitchen knife was recovered from a door pocket of the Seat.

Chater, aged 26, of Willow Road, admitted driving dangerously, possessing drugs with intent to supply and having two offensive weapons.

The court was told the wife of the unemployed father of two who was further banned from driving for three years on his release from prison was expecting their third child before the end of the month.

Miss Ruck said the police officers found £1,360 in cash from the clothing of Chater who expressed his remorse for the offending after his arrest.