A DRUG addict pressured into allowing his Bradford flat to be turned into a fortified crack den has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Anthony Barraclough, 38, was ‘paid’ three wraps of Class A drugs a day for letting dealers take over the high rise property he tenanted at Bolingbroke Court, Elsdon Grove, Little Horton.

He was caught crammed into a bedroom with 14 other crack addicts when police used an angle grinder to cut down a metal gate blocking the entrance to the Incommunities property at midday on February 27 last year.

Barraclough pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine but his case was adjourned until Friday because he had been in hospital being treated for leg wounds.

His co-accused, Amber Wainwright, 45, of Grantham Terrace, Little Horton, and Barry Travis, 37, of Park Lane, Little Horton, were arrested, along with Barraclough, now of Ormondroyd Avenue, Odsal, Bradford.

Travis was jailed for a total of four years and nine months for drug dealing on three separate occasions.

Wainwright, who was caught dealing with Travis on another occasion, was imprisoned for a total of two years and nine months.

She had banknotes stuffed in her bra when police raided the flat.

Prosecutor, Jayne Beckett, said drug dealers took over the flat and turned it into a fortified crack house.

Barraclough told the police he owed a drug debt and the arrangement had been going on for about a week.

Arshad Mahmood. Barraclough’s solicitor advocate, said his client played a lesser role in the offence.

He did not set up the crack den and at first had refused when he was asked to hand over his address to the dealers.

He was getting free drugs and his debt paid off.

Barraclough had never been to prison and he had no previous convictions for supplying drugs.

Judge David Hatton QC sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement.

He told Barraclough: “I strongly suspect that you were put under considerable pressure to allow this to happen.”