A CANNABIS dealer who sold drugs to children has been spared jail because a medical condition has left him 'at death's door'.

Christopher Moule dealt cannabis, a class B drug, to teenagers in Droitwich, some as young as 13.

When Moule realised he was being followed by police, he attempted to escape at high speed, throwing deal bags of the drug out of the car window before struggling with offices when they arrested him.

The 47-year-old of Farriers Corner, Droitwich, had already admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply when he was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday.

Amiee Parkes, prosecuting, said evidence on the defendant's mobile phone showed he had been dealing to children between the ages of 13 and 16.

A police officer in an unmarked police car began following Moule who was driving his Ford Focus through the Westlands estate in Droitwich at around 5.20pm on March 13 last year. Officers had received information that Moule had been dealing the class B drug.

Moule was followed along Westwood Road and onto the A38 in the direction of Chateau Impney towards the junction with Bromsgrove Road, the officer pulling up behind him at traffic lights.

He drove away 'at speed', turning right into Bromsgrove Road and disappearing out of sight.

"He (the officer) believed at the time the defendant had realised he was being followed" said Miss Parkes.

The officer reported seeing Moule in Bays Meadow coming 'from his off-side, travelling at high speed on the wrong side of the road'.

He saw Moule, the only person in the Focus, throw a bag out of the driver's side window onto the nearside verge.

When Moule was detained he made no reply to the caution. Miss Parkes described the defendant struggling as the officer applied handcuffs.

"The officer had to draw his PAVA spray and point it in his face" said Miss Parkes.

While officers were trying to arrest him Moule was also heard to shout to a woman named Cat to 'tell his partner that he had been arrested'.

Miss Parkes said: "In his (the officer's) opinion it was so they could get rid of any further drugs and incriminating evidence."

In total Moule had in his possession 21.5g of cannabis already packaged up in sandwich bags ready for sale. There were four large bags in deals of 2.7g. 2.9g. 2.8g and 3g and eight smaller bags.

The drugs were estimated to be worth £180. Moule also had £169.93 in cash in his pocket.

Moule was interviewed the same day, telling officers he dealt to '10 to 15 friends', all of a similar age to himself.

However, in a later interview he admitted dealing cannabis to teenagers over 16, perceiving them to be adults.

Moule has 20 convictions for 57 offences, 11 of which relate to drugs.

Mark Lister, defending, said his client's impression was that the teenagers were 16 and over.

Mr Lister said Moule suffered from sleep apnoea and was required to wear an oxygen mask four hours a night 'to enable him to avoid the possibility of his heart stopping during that period'.

Moule is also medicated for depression and Mr Lister said the deaths of people close to him had resulted in him returning to involvement with drugs.

Mr Lister said his client was the sole tenant at his address and that his family would be at risk of losing the accommodation were he to be incarcerated.

Judge Robert Juckes QC remanded the defendant in custody over lunch before passing sentence.

Judge Juckes said dealing drugs to children was 'a very significant aggravating feature in every case' but that he had to balance this against the impact on 'a man in such bad health as to be virtually at death's door'.

He said: "While some might say 'it's only cannabis', cannabis in its concentrated form is a drug which more and more research shows can do serious damage, particularly of the kind you yourself have suffered."

The judge also said imposing an immediate custodial sentence would pose 'considerable handling difficulties' in prison, particularly because of Moule's need for oxygen at night.

Moule was sentenced to 20 months in prison suspended for 18 months and placed on a six month electronically monitored curfew between 7pm and 7am.

He must also complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, pay a £140 court surcharge and £340 costs.