Police officers discovered a stash of drugs by "fluke" after pulling over a man for driving erratically.

Dean Knowlson, 24, was driving through the centre of Bristol when he was stopped by police. When told his car would be seized Knowlson asked if it would be searched as well, before admitting there was more than 30g of cocaine inside. He then admitted that officers would find more drugs at his home in Piggott Avenue, Withywood.

Knowlson later admitted two charges of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

He received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, with an 18-month supervision requirement.

Mark Hollier, prosecuting, said Knowlson was driving his Ford Mondeo in Baldwin Street, Bristol, at 12.50am on January 10 this year, when his erratic driving caught the attention of police and he was stopped. "Police were talking to him about his lack of insurance etc," said Mr Hollier.

"It was a fluke the drugs were recovered. Knowlson was told his car would be seized. He asked if his car would be searched. Police asked why and he said 'there's coke in the front'."

He said officers discovered 31.83g of the class A drug in the car.

When they searched Knowlson's address they found more cocaine inside a DVD case they had been directed to.

Sarah Regan, defending Knowlson, who is of previous good character, said her client was glad he had been caught.

"He had got into a position where he started to sell drugs, not because he was an addict but because he thought it was a good way of making money," said Miss Regan.

She said the defendant got into debt after taking out finance deals to buy a car and sold drugs to pay off what he owed.

Sentencing Knowlson, Recorder Mr Ignatius Hughes QC said: "Rather than a major league dealer, you are a stupid young man."