A driver sped away to try and escape when police tried to stop him and his passenger later fled from the scene, a court has heard.

For the prosecution, James Robinson said police tried to stop 20-year-old Robert John Hamilton-Hunter as he approached the Whitestone in Ballasalla en route from Douglas.

Mr Robinson said police swerved in front of his car with their blue lights flashing, intending to stop him but instead, the defendant’s Seat Ibiza mounted the pavement to pass the police car then accelerated away, turning left at the roundabout into Station Road.

Mr Robinson said the car pulled out in front of approaching traffic on the roundabout and powered away at speed, ’nearly hitting two cyclists’ in Ballasalla as he went.

He pulled up in Balthane industrial estate whereupon his passenger leaped out of the car and fled into the distance.

A search of the car revealed a small quantity of cannabis - 1.3 grams worth £26, the court was told.

Mr Robinson said under interrogation by police, he admitted failing to stop for the police, driving carelessly and having the cannabis in his possession.

He also told the court Hamilton-Hunter had previously been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for possessing MDMA, or ’ecstasy’ and the sentence expiry date for that offence remained current until 2018.

Mr Robinson requested an order be made for forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis.

Representing Hamilton-Hunter, Kate Alexander asked for a pre-sentence report to be completed on the defendant.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes adjourned until August 3 pending completion of an all options report and he was bailed in the meantime.