A Semi-professional footballer from Hartcliffe ran away from police after they discovered a quantity of cannabis in his car, Bristol Magistrates Court heard.

Liam McCaughey, 18, who plays for Minehead in the First Division of the Toolstation Western League, pleaded guilty to wilfully obstructing a police officer in his duty.

Police smelt cannabis when they approached a Corsa parked at the side of the road.

McCaughey handed over a bag of "green vegetable matter".

But when the vehicle was searched by police, a "large quantity" of drugs was discovered and McCaughey ran off.

The court heard that McCaughey now realised his misjudgement, as officers had already recorded his name and address for the small quantity that was found.

McCaughey, who is doing a plumbing course at Filton College, was arrested the following day.

A youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in court alongside McCaughey. The youth pleaded not guilty to the same offence, and was granted unconditional bail to appear at Bristol Youth Court on October 2.

McCaughey, who lives with his grandmother in Murford Avenue, Hartcliffe, was given a conditional discharge suspended for six months.