AN Ellesmere Port biker who panicked when he thought police were about to arrest him for cannabis possession rode straight into the path of an oncoming car at a junction.

Robert Jones, 25, of Christleton Drive, went through a red traffic light at the end of Cambridge Road and was knocked over by the oncoming Volvo, and still tried to get away on his Suzuki motorbike, Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, August 23.

But he was restrained by police and arrested.

Jones pleaded guilty to riding a motor vehicle dangerously and cannabis possession and magistrates told him he "very narrowly" avoided going to prison as a result.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds told the court it was at 3.30pm on January 5 when police on patrol spotted the Suzuki being ridden by Jones "at speed" before going straight over a mini roundabout.

Police followed the bike and, as they approached the traffic lights, an officer told Jones to pull over and switch off the engine.

Jones stopped his motorbike but as the officer went to speak to him, Jones replied: "F*** off," undertook the vehicle in front and rode through the red light into Whitby Road.

He collided with an oncoming vehicle and tried to get back on his bike, but was restrained by an officer.

When asked by police: "What was all that about?" Jones replied: "I just panicked because I had bought some weed."

In police interview, Jones accepted his riding was dangerous.

He was a man of previous good character.

A probation report heard Jones was a low risk of serious harm as a lengthy driving ban plus the extended retest he would have to take minimised the chances of this happening again.

On the day, he had bought two ounces of cannabis and panicked.

He was concerned on the impact custody would have for his family and future employability, and a suspended sentence with community order was recommended.

Defending, Scott McCrimmon said this was the first time Jones had been before a court of law.

He added it was ironic that if he had co-operated with police in the first place, due to the previous good character it would have been likely Jones would have received a police caution for cannabis possession and not been arrested.

Jones had accepted responsibility and wanted to apologise to the driver of the Volvo for the collision.

Chair of magistrates Fraser Geekie told Jones: "Today you have very narrowly avoided going to prison; had the probation service not talked so highly of you then you would have been in custody."

Jones received an eight-week prison term, suspended for 12 months. He was banned from driving for 18 months and must take an extended retest before getting his licence back.

In addition, he must complete 100 hours unpaid work, 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement, was fined £440 plus £122 victim surcharge and £85 court costs and the cannabis was to be forfeited and destroyed.