A teenager was caught by a police dog hiding under a bush with bags of cannabis.

The animal tracked down 19-year-old Callum Docherty scent to a Cleckheaton garden after the teen fled from a car abandoned in a police chase.

He claimed that he was forced into dealing drugs by a man twice his age who had paid off his cocaine debt.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of cannabis with intent to supply it.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence occurred on December 21.

Police in the Foldings Parade area tried to stop a white Renault Megane but the driver failed to cooperate and there was a short pursuit.

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The car, which had several occupants, was abandoned and Docherty fled.

Prosecutor Bill Astin said: “A police dog tracked the scent from the car to a nearby garden where this young man was seen hiding under a bush.”

Docherty had on him several bags containing the class B drug as well as a cannabis grinder, three mobile phones containing evidence of drug dealing and £600 in cash.

Steve Milner, mitigating, said that the driver of the vehicle was the man who had paid off Docherty’s drug debt after he developed a bad cocaine habit.

He told the court: “He suggested that the defendant could pay off his debt to him by assisting him with street dealing.

“The defendant was clearly playing a part in drug dealing but was engaged by intimidation and there was an element of exploitation.”

A report was ordered on Docherty, of Whitehall Avenue in the town, prior to his sentencing.