A MAN who ran off after being arrested for having a small quantity of drugs was labelled “a grade A idiot” by a judge.
Along with the drugs offence, he was initially charged with the serious crime of escape from lawful custody, Stafford Crown Court heard.
The charge was later dropped after Finnemore pleaded guilty to a less serious offence of obstructing the police.
Finnemore, aged 20, of Manor Farm Barns, High Offley, near Stafford, also admitted possessing a small quantity of cocaine.
He was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs, but Judge David Fletcher told him: “You have been a grade-A idiot in this case.”
Paul Farrow, prosecuting, said Finnemore was arrested in Cresswell Park on December 18 after patrol officers saw him in a Honda Civic, apparently trying to hide something.
A small quantity of white powder was found in the door pocket and the defendant said it was cocaine. He then made a run for it and a search for him was launched.
Following a call from a taxi company, he was spotted running across playing fields near the Holmcroft pub and was re-arrested getting in to a taxi.
