A dad-of-two was caught with up to £80,000 of cannabis after leading police on a high-speed chase the wrong way down a dual carriageway.
James Mann, 32, ploughed his blue VW Passat into pedestrian railings, fencing and a garden wall after mounting a pavement in Walton.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how the courier was found to be carrying four kilos of cannabis, plus a personal stash of the drug and £500 in cash.
Police had spotted Mann, of Manor Road in Crosby , driving erratically on the East Lancs Road at around 3.45pm on June 11 last year.
Fiona McNeill, prosecuting, said officers saw the Passat swerve across three lanes, before it mounted a central reservation and drove into oncoming traffic.
They gave chase but the defendant failed to stop, went through red traffic lights and reached speeds of 80mph in a 30mph zone.
Liverpool Crown Court
Other vehicles were forced to swerve out of the way as he careered along, turned into Long Lane, crashed into a van, and came to a halt near the junction with Long Avenue.
Mann tried to run away but was caught by officers and said: “I’m not going to run no more. I’m in enough trouble.”
He was searched and found to be in possession of cannabis worth between £40,000 and £80,000.
In total he caused £3,300 of damage, which included damage sustained to a police car.
Mann told officers he had taken the cannabis from a group of men he would not name.
More stories from the courts
Jailed for ten years for horrific rape Mum glassed neighbour in row Man left student brain damaged Women jailed for savage stiletto attacks 
Ms McNeill said: “He denied owing them any money and said he had no drug debt, but believed they saw him as ‘a bit of a soft touch’.
“He said he had not done anything for them in the past. This was a one-off situation where they had intimidated him into driving the cannabis from A to B. He agreed to do this.”
Mann claimed he had been in complete shock when he saw flashing blue police lights and “panicked”.
He admitted dangerous driving, possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to supply and criminal damage. He has no previous convictions.
"This was a prolonged piece of dreadful driving"
Anthony Murphy, defending, said his client had been “totally honest” with police officers when arrested.
Mr Murphy said Mann had since sought help for his cannabis habit with the Lifeline Project charity.
He said: “He understands if he hadn’t have been using this cannabis he wouldn’t have got in contact with this criminal group.”
Recorder Ford said the fact Mann was given high value drugs to deliver indicated he was trusted by the gang and that he placed other motorists’ lives in danger.
The judge said: “This was a prolonged piece of dreadful driving. You drove in a manner which exhibited a total disregard for the safety of others.
“It is extremely fortunate this offence was not much more serious than it was.”
Recorder Ford sentenced Mann to 10 months in prison and banned him from the road for 18 months.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/