A Jaguar driver sped off with with his door left open after police planned to search the car for drugs.

Instead of complying with the request Anthony Lomas drove the hired Jaguar F-type away forcing  a police officer to jump out of the way.

Another police officer, who tried to flag the car down, was clipped on the wrist by the vehicle.

Lomas, of Bridge Way, Marple, Stockport had denied dangerous driving in Rhyl last June and was due to stand trial at Caernarfon Crown Court but changed his plea just before the jury was due to be chosen.

He had already admitted possessing a small amount of cannabis, consistent with personal use, at a previous hearing.

Caernarfon Crown Court
Caernarfon Crown Court

He was spared an immediate jail term but was ordered to pay more than £3,200 is compensation, fines and court costs.

The 28-year-old was said to have previous convictions for drugs supply and had been seen by officers sitting in the car which was parked in Sussex Street, Rhyl at 1am on June 24 last year.

Judge Huw Rees said he was "very sceptical" as to the reason why Lomas was in Rhyl that night.

Defence counsel Alexandra Sutton told the court he was on holiday in the town and was waiting for his girlfriend.

Judge Rees said: "I am very sceptical what you were doing that night given your previous convictions and the fact that cannabis was found in the vehicle.

Video Loading

"You were evasive towards the officers and you self evidently had something to hide. You knew what you were about."

Lomas was handed a four month prison term, suspended for a year, and disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and undergo regular drug tests and reviews.

The judge also ordered Lomas to pay £200 to the injured police officer and fined him £100 for possessing the illegal drug. In addition he must pay £2,940 costs. 

Ms Sutton said since the offence Lomas had made progress in combating his use of drugs and was ready to work with the Probation Service to make further progress.

Simon Mintz, prosecuting, said officers saw a number of people approach the vehicle and they had decided to speak with the driver themselves.

"Initially he was co-operative but became more defensive and evasive as they continued to speak with him and when told they wanted to do a drugs search of the vehicle he drove away with the driver's door still open.

"At the junction of Water Street another officer tried to flag the vehicle down but as it turned it clipped the officer's wrist causing pain and later swelling and bruising.

"The vehicle was driven down Water Street at speed swerving from side to side and was lost to officers after it turned into Wellington Road," said Mr Mintz.

Lomas was arrested later that day and a satchel, which had been seen in the vehicle in Rhyl, was found to contain the cannabis, an illegal drug of Class B.