A dealer, shot in the leg when he was caught in the “murky world” of drugs, has been jailed for more than six years.

Mohammed Malik has had operations and needs further surgery after the shooting, over a drugs debt owed by members of his family, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Malik, a “three strikes” dealer, who had two previous convictions for drug trafficking, was sentenced to 2,045 days imprisonment – nearly five years eight months – by Judge Roger Thomas QC, with a further eight months for breaching a suspended jail sentence imposed for money laundering.

Judge Thomas told Malik he was “steeped in drug misuse,” having been given five-year and three-year sentences previously for drug dealing.

The judge said: “In your case you have been shot. I fully accept, unhappily, that shooting would have been based in the murky world of drugs and drug supply.”

He said passing less than the minimum sentence for a three-strikes offender would not be the correct approach. Those who became involved in such serious crime would receive significant jail sentences.

Malik, 31, of Heysham Drive, Holme Wood, Bradford, and a co-accused, Javed Khan, 38, of Quaker Lane, Great Horton, Bradford, both pleaded guilty to supplying heroin and crack cocaine, and possessing the drugs with intent.

Prosecutor Richard Davies told the court the police caught the pair selling drugs on the street to users from Khan’s Rover car, in Carlisle Place, Manningham.

Khan reversed at speed to try to escape, hitting a car behind him, but was boxed in by police. Malik had seven wraps of class A drugs in his mouth and 15 in his lap. He also had two mobile phones and £130 cash on him. The total value of the drugs was £155.

Malik’s barrister, Stephen Utley, said his client had been shot near to a shop in Bradford. It was feared he would die and then it was feared he might lose his leg. He said the shooting was because a drugs debt owed by his cousins. He feared further consequences to his family, and so became involved in the drugs scene in order to pay it.

Ian Hudson, for Khan, who was jailed for three years, said he had no history of drug offences. He played a lesser role as a driver to pay off debts.

Judge Thomas told them: “Your case shows the reality of the pernicious world of class A drugs.”