A DRUG dealer caught red-handed by police claimed he was delivering a pizza, a court heard.

Police had pulled over Jordan Balshaw's car because he was driving erratically, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

The 22-year-old's VW Golf had bags of cannabis inside - and a later search of his home uncovered MDMA, or ecstasy.

Balshaw, of Ripon Close, Radcliffe, has now been jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to possession of the drugs with intent to supply.

John Richards, prosecuting, said three bags of cannabis were initially spotted and then 11 more were found after a search of the vehicle and his home.

Mr Richards added: "The officers attended his house and searched his bedroom where they found a snap bag with a large crystal of MDMA and lots of bags containing smaller crystals in a pair of his shoes.”

The court heard cannabis with a street value of around £110 was found on him and MDMA totalling around £1,040.

Balshaw’s phone contained images of him with drugs “new to the market” and messages sent to customers.

Mr Richards said the evidence showed the defendant was “highly motivated by financial gains” and had an “awareness and understanding of the whole operation”.

He told the court Balshaw was part of some “management” for the drug dealing and not just someone who delivered the drugs.

Michael Lea, defending, said Bulshaw had seen sense and entered a guilty plea for dealing MDMA and should be given full credit.

Mr Lea also said his client was very remorseful for his actions and is a “sensible and polite man”.

He said: “He is not your run-of-the-mill street dealer that usually comes here and he’s fully aware of what’s involved in.”

Mr Lea denied Balshaw was part of the “management” of the dealing and said he was involved at a “low-level”.

Jailing him, Judge Tina Landale told Balshaw: “Police stopped you in your vehicle and you claimed you were delivering pizza but you had drugs in your car and it was clear you were out and about to supply drugs in the city.

“It is a trade which blights the lives of users and families. MDMA is a very dangerous drug, a class A drug which you were involved in selling.

“It is clear this was financially motivated and you were making money from it for a period of time."

The judge accepted Balshaw, who had suffered mental health problems, was remorseful but ruled custody was the only option.