A man who fled the country after he was caught driving an uninsured Audi in Bradford city centre with cannabis and a stun gun has been jailed for five months.

Patrick Krok failed to attend his trial at Bradford Crown Court and was arrested at Stanstead Airport when he returned from the Czech Republic.

Yesterday, he appeared before the court on a video link to HMP Leeds where he was remanded in custody following his apprehension in March.

Krok, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of a prohibited weapon and failing to answer his court bail.

Prosecutor Mehran Nassiri said he had a conviction for perjury in his homeland.

On April 12, 2019, Krok was seen in Godwin Street, Bradford, driving an uninsured green Audi. He parked up on Kirkgate and gave a false name and date of birth when questioned by Armed Response officers on patrol in the city centre.

He had a stun gun with him and his male passenger had cannabis hidden down his trousers. Scales were also seized from the car, Mr Nassiri told the court.

A small amount of cannabis was recovered when officers searched Krok’s flat on Toller Lane, Bradford.

He denied the offences but failed to attend for his trial on February 5 last year.

A warrant not backed for bail was issued and he was arrested as soon as he returned to the country from the Czech Republic.

Krok’s barrister, Clare Walsh, said it was low quality cannabis for his own use or to share with friends.

He bought the stun gun from a shop because it interested him. He had no intention of using it on anyone else.

He panicked about the weapon charge and went to stay with his family in the Czech Republic. He would have come back sooner to his partner in Bradford but the Covid pandemic prevented him from returning.

Mrs Walsh said Krok’s mother was in poor health and most of his prison money was spent phoning her to reassure her.

He had worked in the construction business and the packing industry and was keen to find employment and provide a home for his family in the United Kingdom.

Judge Colin Burn jailed Krok for four months for the cannabis and stun gun offences with a month to run consecutively for the Bail Act offence.

He told him the sentences would lead to his immediate release because of the time he had spent locked up on remand.