A cheeky drug dealer who fled from police with a stash worth £1million has been jailed.

Christopher Oliver, 25, darted from his home in Bonaventure Court, Gravesend, during a raid in March.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he escaped with 2.793kg of cocaine of 100 per cent purity.

But with police following close behind, he then discarded the drugs as he fled over neighbouring gardens.

On Friday, Oliver admitted possessing a class A drug with intent to supply.

He was jailed for seven years.

Judge Patience said Oliver played a "trusted part" in the distribution of the drug and was not merely a "gofer".

He accepted Oliver - pictured by police with a grin after he was caught - wasn't responsible for importing the cocaine.

The judge added sentences for those dealing in drugs had to be severe, not just to punish those caught but also to send a message out to others.

"Class A drugs wreck people's lives, and the lives of their families, and we in court have to pick up the pieces."

Oliver's stash ... £1million of cocaine found in a garden

The court heard Oliver, who suffers from autism, became involved in dealing drugs to pay off gambling debts.

He will serve half his sentence, less 58 days already spent on remand.

DC Adam Denny, from North Kent’s drugs intervention team, was in court to hear the sentence.

He said: "I am pleased with the result which reflects the seriousness of the offence.

"It is also good news that this substantial amount of cocaine was seized and has therefore not made it onto the streets of Gravesend.

"We will continue to work to disrupt and dismantle drugs networks in North Kent."