Dealer caught after he walked away from sniffer dog in Nottingham's Old Market Square

A DEALER was caught with drugs worth hundreds of pounds after he tried to walk away from a police sniffer dog in Nottingham's Old Market Square.

Officers became suspicious after Liam Nichols spotted their dog and began walking quickly in the opposite direction.

They caught up with him in Beastmarket Hill and, when searched, he was found to have six bags of cannabis on him.

Nottingham Crown Court heard yesterday that Nichols' 153 gram stash would have had a street value of between £900 and £1,500.

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Nichols, 30, of Grindon Crescent, Bulwell, was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work after he admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply on March 28 last year.

Judge Peter Barrie said he decided to suspend the sentence after he heard how Nichols, who uses cannabis, has a nine-year-old daughter.

He said: "You know that you were found in possession of a substantial quantity of cannabis and you have recognised realistically that you should be dealt with on the purpose of supply to other users.

"Those are serious matters, particularly for someone who has fairly recent convictions in relation to possession of drugs.

"I take into account the responsibilities you have toward your daughter."

Jim Metcalf, prosecuting, said: "When interviewed, Nichols said he was given the drugs shortly beforehand and he was merely a custodian.

"His phone was examined and it indicated the drugs were his and he was involved in the supply."

Text messages were found that revealed he was involved in dealing.

He has previous convictions for possessing heroin, crack cocaine and amphetamine.

Judge Barrie said he was disappointed in the probation report which revealed Nichols had not yet shown he was able to live a drug-free lifestyle.

However, he added: "You have a good employment record and are hoping to get work for a construction company."

Michael Evans said, in mitigation, that Nichols was trying to reduce his cannabis use.

He said that his client deserved credit for his plea of guilty and had not reoffended since the offence in March.