A driver found to have a large haul of cannabis in his van worth about £250,000 has been cleared of possessing it with intent to supply.

Stephen Jarvis had claimed he did not know the boxes in the back of his van contained drugs and thought it was 'dodgy' tobacco.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how police spotted the 42-year-old lorry driver, of Filer Road, Minster, Sheppey, using his mobile phone while driving on March 5 last year.

Two officers indicated to him to pull over in Wellington Street, Gravesend.

Jane Scotchmer, prosecuting, said Mr Jarvis was asked to sit in the back of the police car while PC Emma Wells issued a fixed penalty notice.

The other officer, PC Joseph Panton, became suspicious as Mr Jarvis seemed anxious to please.

He noticed the back of the van was full of cardboard boxes and enquired what was in them.

As he did so, the driver ran off down the road. PC Panton gave chase and arrested him.

The boxes contained almost 198 kilos of cannabis resin and nearly seven kilos of strong skunk cannabis.

Mr Jarvis, who denied two charges of possessing drugs with intent to supply, said he was provided with a van that was ready loaded. He set off for London without inspecting it.

He admitted he thought the load was 'a bit dodgy' but said he believed it was handrolling tobacco.

The married father-of-five said in evidence he did not believe the load was totally above board. He was going to be paid £150.

"I would not have transported cannabis around," he said. “I have never been into drugs."