A Pahiatua man caught by police with cannabis did his best to evade police during a pursuit.

Robert Wayne Mandrell led police on a chase around the town before pulling over and trying to eat the evidence, Palmerston North District Court heard yesterday.

Police spotted Mandrell driving along Main St, Pahiatua, on June 18.

When he spotted them, the unemployed 57-year-old sped away, reaching speeds of 130kmh but pulled over along Pahiatua-Pongaroa Rd.

"When [police] spoke to him they noticed a white lump protruding from the left side of his mouth," a police summary said.

"When questioned about the lump, Mandrell denied having anything in his mouth. Police looked closely and saw tissue with cannabis plant material in it stuffed in the side of his cheek."

Mandrell was told to spit it out but denied having anything in his mouth. He then became aggressive and spat the cannabis out on to the seat next to him but then scooped it up and swallowed it.

Later, Mandrell said he "didn't know anything about any drugs" and had been advised by a lawyer not to comment.

Defence lawyer Susanthi Angampally said it was Mandrell's first conviction since 2006.

"He said he was using cannabis to ease his toothache," she said.

Judge Les Atkins said Mandrell's behaviour was "pretty silly" and sentenced him to 120 hours' community work.