A police investigation into cannabis dealing led to the discovery of a stash of criminal cash hidden in a pillowslip in a secret wardrobe compartment. 

Mohammed Khan, 30, was arrested in February 2014 after his fingerprints were found on a bag of cannabis at a house in Keighley two months earlier.

He was detained at a house Frizinghall, where officers found a "concealed crawl space" behind a bedroom wardrobe.

Prosecutor Chloe Hudson told Bradford Crown Court today the hiding place was found after a rear panel in the wardrobe was removed.

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The court heard that the officers seized three pillowcases filled with cash totalling £26,320 at a home in Frizinghall.

Tax records showed that between 2012 and 2014 Khan had been working in a greengrocers earning about £2,000.

During the search of the house officers also found just over half a kilo of cannabis with a street value of about £2,500.

The court heard that Khan, now of Fagley Road, Bradford, was not charged with any offences relating to the drugs and cash until July last year and that during the intervening period since the offences were committed he had served two other prison sentences.

Khan eventually pleaded guilty to two offences of possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing criminal property in relation to the cash.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC was told that Khan had now changed his ways and he was persuaded to impose a suspended prison sentence for the offending.

"The situation is complicated and I do fear that unfairness would at least be perceived if I acted in any other way," said the judge.

"It's regrettable but there it is."

The judge said there had been a "chequered history" relating to whether Khan was charged or not with the offences and he had already served prison sentences of 10 and 12 months in the interim.

Judge Durham Hall concluded that an 11-month jail term could be suspended for a year, but Khan will also have to do 180 hours unpaid work.