A Glasgow man threw cocaine worth up to £23,000 out of his car window as he was trying to get away from cops.

Gary Scanlan was driving on Edinburgh Road in the East End just before 3pm on September 18 last year.

Police travelling behind him activated their lights to make him stop but he did not.

Instead, the 42-year-old made off at speed, going east on the A8.

As cops pursued him, he discarded a single clear plastic bag through the passenger side window.

Officers saw this and found the package at the side of the road. It contained white powder and had opened due to the force with which it was thrown.

Police caught up with Scanlan. He was arrested and taken to Coatbridge police station.

The substance was analysed and found to be 230.83g of cocaine.

Scanlan appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week, where it was revealed that if sold individually and by the gram, the substance could be worth between £18,400 and £23,000.

The Glasgow resident previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the class A drug, failing to stop and intentionally obstructing justice by throwing away the bag.

His lawyer told the court: "He regrets it. His family is aware and his mother is here in the court. He has been a good father to his children, he is working full-time.

"His phone was taken from him and there was nothing in it to suggest any other involvement in this matter.

"Clearly, [the offence] meets the custody threshold, he is very much aware of that. But there is a presumption against short sentences.

"There are no other charges and there were no traffic offences. He has cooperated and is fit for a community-based disposal. He is aware if he does not do that without difficulties, he is in your hands."

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Sheriff Jonathan Guy said: "You pleaded guilty to two serious offences and the quantity of drugs warrants the seriousness.

"I am taking into account everything your solicitor has said but it does not reduce the seriousness of the offence, the harm caused by the significant amount of drugs and what it causes to society.

"You appear you have been a relatively productive member of society."

Scanlan will have to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.

He was also tagged for 162 days, forcing him to stay at home between 7pm and 7am each day.

Sheriff Guy told him: "If you breach this order, you will almost certainly be sent to prison, likely for nine months."