A HUNTINGDON man has pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

Ben Cross, 26, of Percy Green Place, appeared before magistrates at Huntingdon Law Courts on Thursday. He pleaded not guilty to possessing the Class A drug MDMA, also known as ecstasy, with intent to supply.

Crown prosecutor Laura Mardell told the magistrates that the case was too serious for their sentencing powers and requested that the matter be committed to crown court for sentencing.

She explained that officers had followed the defendant’s car in St Ives on August 5 after watching him move about inside, trying to conceal items. He was subsequently chased on foot by officers, who lost sight of him. However, a search of his car revealed a substantial amount of cocaine, some scales and three mobile phones – one containing a text message that said: “You’re a terrible drug dealer.”

He was arrested at his home in Stukeley Meadows, where other items associated with drug use were discovered, including a small amount of ecstasy.

Miss Mardell told the magistrates: “He was involved in the commercial supply of drugs.”

Melanie Benn, defending Cross, said that her client would plead guilty to a lesser charge of simple possession of the ecstasy.

The magistrates declined jurisdiction on the case, which was adjourned until December 1. Cross was released from court on unconditional bail.