A SOUTHAMPTON labourer was caught up in a police chase after his drug dealer friend attempted to escape officers in his car.

But just minutes into the chase, Louie Norris and his friend were forced to ditch the vehicle and make a getaway on foot after the driver crashed the car.

As the 20-year-old made a run for it, Norris threw away a bag of crack cocaine and heroin.

Police later tracked down the bag and the 24-year-old, who was arrested on suspicion of attempting to supply Class-A drugs.

But Norris said the drugs were given to him by his friend during the chase.

He later admitted a charge of possession of drugs, for which he was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court.

The court was told how Norris was travelling as a passenger in a Renault car on July 22, 2017, when police signalled for the driver of the vehicle to pull over.

The driver, Norris’ friend and was not named, attempted to outrun the police, but crashed into a parked Mercedes on Bitterne Road.

The pair both attempted to get away on foot, but Norris was caught by police, after throwing the bag of drugs away.

Police recovered the bag, which contained crack cocaine and heroin, with a collective value of more than £500.

Mitigating, Khalid Missouri said Norris had been given the drugs during the chase by his friend, who was not named in court.

He described Norris’ attempts to dispose of the drugs as “unsophisticated”.

He added that Norris, who pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs, had not been in trouble with the police since the incident.

Judge Gary Burrell QC imposed a £500 fine on Norris, but warned that if he had been found guilty of dealing he would of faced a lengthy prison sentence.

Judge Burrell added: “You must realise this is a real opportunity for you.

“If you get mixed up with people like that again you will probably face imprisonment.”