A MOTORIST caught on the A64 at Bilbrough with cannabis worth up to £20,000 on the streets has received a suspended prison sentence.

Majid Muhammed Ahmed, 32, also had £8,000 in cash on him or in his Passat, said Chloe Fairley, prosecuting at York Crown Court. Police believe it was drugs profit.

Ahmed told police the 2kg of skunk cannabis was for his own use.

Father-of-two and car wash worker Ahmed, of Arrowsmith House, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply it to others and having criminal money.

Because his only previous conviction was for being drunk and disorderly and he had stayed out of trouble since he was arrested, the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Batty QC, suspended an 18-month prison sentence for two years on condition Ahmed does 150 hours’ unpaid work.

He must also pay £250 prosecution costs.

Ms Fairley said police first saw Ahmed near Colton End Lane, near Tadcaster, on the A64 at 5pm on May 3, 2015. When he suddenly turned into Bilbrough services, they stopped him and searched him and his vehicle.