A MAN who took drugs from a cannabis factory in a former pub then dumped them in a skip when trying to run from police has been jailed.

Michael Bridger, 32, drove in convoy to collect 3kg of cannabis from the Belvedere pub, in Crays Hill.

But Bridger and two other men dumped the drugs, which were inside a duvet cover, into a skip in Kings Way, Billericay, before they were caught by police.

Three men who acted as “gardeners” at the factory were each jailed for three years earlier this month after admitting production of a class B drug.

But Basildon Crown Court delayed sentencing Bridger because police had been unable to locate the cannabis, which had been dumped in a skip.

Judge Samantha Leigh summoned police to the court to explain how the evidence had gone missing.

It was later identified and weighed, allowing Bridger to be sentenced on Thursday.

Judge Leigh said: “This was part of an operation where there had been a large cannabis factory and you were caught taking cannabis from that factory.”

Bridger had denied prior knowledge of the cannabis factory, claiming he only became aware of it after driving with a convoy of vehicles to the site.

But Judge Leigh said: “While I can accept you came in at a late stage, in my view you were there ready for onward distribution.”

Bridger breached a suspended sentence by committing the crime in March last year.

In June 2012, he was given a 51-week suspended sentence for growing 92 cannabis plants at his former home in Lincolnshire.

Basildon Crown Court heard Bridger was experiencing family difficulties and Judge Leigh stated she was taking this into account when passing sentence.

She said: “I am well aware of the difficulties due to the stress of this case.”

Bridger, of Fishponds Lane, Ipswich, admitted possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply.

He was sentenced to 30 weeks imprisonment, which he will not be required to serve due to the time he has already spent in custody since being arrested.

Bridger must serve a further 20 weeks for breaching his suspended sentence.

He is likely to be released after serving 10 weeks.