A JOHNSTONE man who tried to flee from police is behind bars after £150,000 of cocaine was seized.

Dale Templeton had reversed at speed in his Audi A3 after spotting officers in Penilee, Glasgow, on April 14, 2023.

Prosecutor Eilidh Robertson told how he initially bashed into a motor, and refused to stop before mounting a pavement and colliding with a police car.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the 28-year-old then escaped from the Audi and ran off.

But, he was soon caught having been seen to throw a plastic bag away.

It was picked up and officers found high-purity cocaine with a maximum potential value of £149,600.

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A total of more than £1,000 in cash was also seized after Templeton was held.

Templeton pleaded guilty to a charge of being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

It emerged he already had a previous drugs conviction.

The court heard Templeton had been in serious financial issues at the time.

Paul Mullen, defending, said: "On the day in question, he was employed (in the offence) to reduce some of the debt that was owed.

"This was not the first occasion that he was concerned in the supply of drugs.

"This was an enterprise that he went into with his eyes wide open and it came to the attention of the police."

Mr Mullen added Templeton was "not a silly man" which had involved him working with a mental health organisation "which he has benefitted from".

Lord Arthurson said a prison term had to be imposed and he sentenced Templeton to three and a half years.