A drug dealer who hid in a garden toilet in Maidstone while trying to evade officers, only to be found by sniffer dogs, has been jailed.

Plain clothes officers in Buckland Hill spotted Ashley Nation, 33, arrive in a VW Golf and park near a group of young people at 2.30pm on January 10.

The officers approached Nation as he got out of the car and walked towards the group holding something wrapped in white plastic in his hand.

On seeing the officers he ran off and jumped over some railings into a car park.

The officers chased him for over 100 metres before he disappeared into the rear gardens of nearby houses.

Police dog Monty (pictured) attended the scene with his handler and tracked Nation, of Wiverton Road, Sydenham, through several gardens to an outdoor toilet attached to a house off Buckland Road.

He was arrested at 3.30pm and the officers seized £160 in his possession. A smashed mobile phone was also found hidden in a toilet brush holder within the outbuilding.

Police dog Piper and her handler then arrived and searched the area and found eight deals of cannabis wrapped in white cling film.

The officer who had chased Nation was able to confirm they looked the same as the items he had been holding earlier.

When Nation’s home address was subsequently searched, officers seized a quantity of cannabis buds, £1,000 in cash and a set of electronic scales.

When analysed, the cannabis seized in the garden was found to have a street value of £150 and the cannabis buds were valued between £1,080 and £1,800.

Nation was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.

Chief inspector Mick Gardner said: "Another London drug dealer has received a prison sentence after travelling to Maidstone to deal drugs to the most vulnerable in our communities.

"This along with other arrests in recent months will continue to remind London gangs that seek to establish themselves in the town, that my officers are ready and able to disrupt their criminal plans."