A SMILING drug dealer who peddled cocaine in Worcester cried in court but was grinning moments after he walked free, chatting away happily on his mobile phone.

Shah Haque was spotted by the judge crying in the dock when he learned he had escaped an immediate prison sentence at Worcester Crown Court on Monday despite dealing cannabis and cocaine in the city.

However, he did not look like he had a care in the world as he strolled along Foregate Street with a friend after being granted his liberty.

After the sentence Judge James Burbidge QC asked the defendant, who was in the dock, if he had hayfever and told him his tears would not be out of relief next time as Haque would be going down the stairs to the cells, telling him: "You've let yourself down."

The 22-year-old of Chedworth Drive, Warndon, Worcester got into what the judge called a 'foolish' argument with staff at Bushwackers in the city's Trinity Street on August 10, 2019.

Richard Franck, prosecuting, said Haque was drunk with 'a strong smell of intoxicants' coming from him and dilated pupils during the argument outside the city nightclub, the defendant claiming he had property inside.

He said: "The defendant was shouting and swearing and was asked to leave. He said 'arrest me then!' Officers complied with his request. He was arrested for being drunk and disorderly."

Officers took him to Worcester Police Station where they found he had a small amount of cannabis and £570 in cash.

Police seized two mobile phones - a Nokia and a Samsung. The Nokia had four messages relating to dealing cocaine dated the day before his arrest. One of the messages read: "Sniff deals - two for seven."

However, the basis of plea, accepted by the Crown, was that Haque had only been dealing the class A drug for one day.

There was a lengthy series of messages on the Samsung about Haque's dealing of cannabis between July 2018 and August 2019. One message, sent to the defendant, read: "I've got eight sales for you."

Haque was interviewed by police on December 9, 2019, answering 'no comment' to all questions.

Haque had pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis at the lower court but there was more prevarication over his plea to being concerned in the supply of cocaine which he admitted on a basis.

The defendant has seven previous convictions for 11 offences on his record. A probation court liaison officer identified Haque as suitable for intervention.

Haque intends to go on a plumbing course at Worcester tech college, now known as the Heart of Worcestershire College.

Omar Majid, defending, said: "Mr Haque understands that, by his stupid actions, he has put himself in an extremely precarious position."

However, he stressed that the cocaine supply was limited to a single exchange with one person - three text messages and one very short phone call.

Judge James Burbidge QC described Haque as 'acting foolishly' at Bushwackers, 'drunk and drugged up', which perhaps showed his immaturity.

He imposed a two year prison sentence suspended for two years and placed Haque on a four month curfew between 8pm and 6am.

Haque must also complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days.