A TEENAGER caught red-handed peddling Class A drugs from a black Audi told police it was "a busy day" with 80 sales to complete before he clocked off.

Harris Saqib said his bosses were dropping off food for him because he had no time for a meal break.

Saqib, of Upper Grange Avenue, Allerton, Bradford, had a total of 59 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine with him when he was arrested at 1.15pm on March 3.

He was locked up in a young offender institution for 28 months at Bradford Crown Court yesterday after admitting possession of the drugs with intent to supply.

Prosecutor, Stephen Wood, said the police saw Saqib on Otley Road, Bradford, near to three drug users. He pulled up on Airedale Road and officers watched an addict buy deals of crack cocaine and heroin from him.

Saqib, who was 19 at the time and is now 20, had drugs hidden down his trousers and £346 in cash stashed in various hiding places in the car.

He told the police he had hired a car for a family occasion and was forced to sell drugs after crashing it and being unable to pay the repair bill.

He had been loaned the Audi and a phone and instructed to sell drugs for three weeks to earn the money.

Saqib told arresting officers: "Today was going to be a busy day."

He had 80 deals to shift before 10pm, he said.

The court heard he had previous convictions for robberies and aggravated vehicle taking.

Saqib's solicitor advocate, Ashok Khullar, said he had been very frank with the police, not attempting to minimise his involvement, and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

MORE CRIME STORIES

"He was acting under the clear direction of the people who provided him with a car and a phone and told him where to stop for food," Mr Khullar said.

Saqib was a married man with a child and a second baby on the way.

He was carer for his mother who suffered from severe arthritis.

But Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said he should have thought about his family responsibilities before committing the offences.

Although he was working under some pressure, Saqib had been part of the wicked trade in Class A drugs and custody was the only option.

"I am very sorry for your mum, your wife and your child, but there it is," the judge said.

He made a confiscation order seizing the money found on Saqib when he was apprehended.

MORE TOP STORIES