A heroin addict was imprisoned in a cellar for a month by his family in a bid to help him kick his habit, a court heard today.

Abdul Basit, 36, was jailed for four and a half years after Bradford Crown Court was told he took part in an existing street dealing operation, to pay off thousands of pounds in drug debts.

His 'lieutenant,' 26-year-old Mozhim Aziz, who played a subordinate role, was jailed for two years.

Prosecutor Simon Haring said it was the prosecution's case that Basit would receive phone calls from drug users and Aziz was then paid a wage to deliver the drugs.

Mr Haring said phones seized showed users calling Basit from a kiosk. He would then instruct his lieutenant, Aziz, to supply the drugs.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to supplying heroin.

Basit, of Lily Street, Manningham, who had a previous conviction for possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply, also pleaded guilty to transferring criminal property.

Aziz, of Springcliffe Street, Manningham, who was of previous good character, also pleaded guilty to possessing the drug.

Basit's barrister, Andrew Dallas, said his client had been addicted to class A drugs since the age of 13 or 14 and they had ruined his life.

Mr Dallas told the court: "His family, and himself, made attempts to get him off drugs. His brothers imprisoned him in a cellar, with him going along, for a month in an effort to break the cycle and prevent him from obtaining drugs."

He also had operations to have implants, now available for heroin addicts, which weaned him off the drug. But he remained addicted to crack cocaine and remained vulnerable to those he owed thousands of pounds too.

Rodney Ferm, for Aziz, said he had acted in a junior capacity, but had since made remarkable progress. He was no longer an addict and was a different person.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC told Aziz he had fought his addiction with considerable valour but "you didn't fight the invitation to trade and you performed your employment, supplying drugs, as directed."