A judge has warned that sentences for young people caught drug dealing on the streets of Bradford may have to double because of the growing problem.

Judge Roger Scott expressed dismay at Bradford Crown Court the fact that he is having to deal on an almost daily basis with defendants aged between 15 and 21 who have been caught supplying heroin.

Jailing 21-year-old Abrar Tariq for four years, Judge Scott noted comments that he had made to a probation officer.

In his pre-sentence report Abrar, of Thornton Road, Bradford, claimed that he did not realise he was committing a serious offence and that everyone was dealing, "even little kids''.

The judge said: "That's absolutely the position in Bradford and West Yorkshire.

"It's getting worse. The people who are dealing are getting younger and younger.

"It will not do and cannot go on, and the only way we can do anything about it is to impose long sentences.

"The time is coming fairly soon in Bradford when the sentences will have to increase by 50 or 100 per cent.''

He said Tariq and others must realise that if they embark on this course of conduct they will go to prison for a long time.

Tariq, who had no previous convictions, admitted supplying £10 of heroin on one occasion to an undercover police officer.

His barrister, Michelle Colbourne, said Tariq had actually refused to take part in another heroin deal soon after.

She said Tariq's father and family were devastated by what he had done.

Judge Scott told Tariq: "Unhappily, this is the sort of case I get almost daily in my list. In almost every case the person in the dock is between 15 or 16-years-old and 21, from a good family and with no previous or relevant convictions.''

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