A DRUGS courier caught hiding in bushes after a frantic police chase down the A1(M) motorway has been jailed for 21 months.

Paul Gilbert James, 35, of Fairfax Road, Cambridge, was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply and dangerous driving.

St Albans Crown Court heard that he was driving an Audi from London at 4pm on May 31 when police stopped him by Junction 4, near Tesco in Hatfield.

When told his car would be searched, he appeared to faint, then jumped back in the Audi and sped off at about 100 miles an hour.

Two police cars managed to stop him on the hard shoulder by Junction 5 but he evaded them again, colliding with one of the vehicles before driving down the Lemsford slip road, against the direction of traffic.

Chased into Mill Close, he escaped on foot but was found in nearby vegetation.

The Audi contained three-and-a-quarter kilogrammes of cannabis with a street value of £4,500 and police found more in his home in Cambridge.

Prosecutor David Chrimes said James had previous convictions for dishonesty, violence, firearms and drugs offences and had been on a conditional discharge for possession of cannabis.

Mitigating barrister Graham White said his client was not a dealer, but had agreed to carry the drugs to write off a £1,000 debt.

Judge Joseph Gosschalk told James: "The quantity was not insignificant.

"You were a courier but you knew what you were being asked to convey.

"You don't think it should be a controlled drug, but you are bound by the law.

"The dangerous driving was along a major road at speeds of 100 miles an hour.

"Bear in mind your children and your sick mother they are going to suffer the most."

On top of the prison sentence, he ordered James to pay costs of £210 but declined to confiscate the Audi, which will be the subject of a separate proceeds of crime hearing.

James was disqualified from driving for 18 months and will have to take an extended test to regain his licence.