A YOUNG Bradford street drug dealer caught with £860 of heroin and crack cocaine while trafficking from a black Mercedes has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

Mohammed Khan, 22, of Heaton Road, Manningham, was seen by the police selling wraps of Class A drugs in Halifax more than two years ago, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Khan pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and crack cocaine on December 9, 2020, with intent to supply it.

His co-accused, Hassan Mahmood, also 22, of Reservoir Road, Pellon, Halifax, admitted the alternative offences of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

The court heard that he was driving the Mercedes when it was spotted travelling slowly down the street at 3pm. Officers on patrol watched as the vehicle was approached by a man and a woman and an obvious drug deal took place.

When the police stopped the car, Khan was found to have 62 packages of heroin and 16 packages of crack cocaine on him, with a street value totalling of £860.

Mahmood, of previous good character, had no drugs on him, the court was told.

It was conceded that Khan was dealing to fund his own drugs use.

His barrister, Jo Shepherd, said he had pleaded guilty at the first hearing at the crown court. Although he consented to the police seizing £80 in cash found at his home, it was in fact his Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Miss Shepherd said Khan was a young man with numerous difficulties. His psychiatrist had found him to be suffering from drug-induced mental illness that he was receiving specialist help with.

She said he had insight into his problems and she also pointed to the long delay in bringing the case to conclusion.

Simon Hustler, for Mahmood, put forward his previous good character and said he was in employment but willing and able to do unpaid work.

Deputy Circuit Judge Timothy Clayson said Khan had a lot of drugs on him when he was caught street dealing in December, 2020.

But he had no relevant previous convictions and Mahmood had never been in trouble before.

Mahmood had written a letter to the court and testimonials spoke very highly of him.

Judge Clayson said the youth and immaturity of the men at the time lowered their culpability, along with the serious problems both had suffered in the past.

Khan was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Mahmood was sentenced to 20 months’ custody, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work.

The £80 seized from Khan’s address was forfeited by the court.

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