A Bury St Edmunds mechanic who acted as the driver for a cocaine dealer has been given an 18-month community order.

Ryan Hayes, 41, of Raedwald Drive, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court after admitting to possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

The court heard Hayes was stopped by police and cannabis with a street value of up to £170 was found in the boot of the car.

Officers then seized Hayes’ phone.

Also in the car was Samuel Roles, the lead offender in the drug operation who has admitted to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley told the court that messages on the phone revealed Hayes drove Roles to cocaine deals.

In mitigation, the court heard the defendant has children and is a self-employed mechanic with no previous convictions.

Judge Talbot-Hadley gave him an 18-month community order with 150 hours unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation days.