A MAN is behind bars awaiting a lengthy jail sentence after pleading guilty to 12 charges arising out of the Operation Errantdance drug dealing crackdown in Bradford East.

Sahir Haroon, 30, of Aberdeen Place, Lidget Green, Bradford, was arrested as part of the drive to rid the streets of “ring and bring” heroin and crack cocaine traffickers.

He admitted 12 offences of supplying heroin and crack cocaine to an undercover test purchase police officer between May 18, 2019, and June 3.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, remanded Haroon in custody at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

His barrister, Balbir Singh, asked for an adjournment to prepare references and a probation report.

Judge Durham Hall will sentence Haroon on March 12.

At the same court sitting, a teenager working for the H20 Line was spared an immediate custodial sentence.

Hannas Ali, 19, of Lytton Road, Girlington, admitted four charges of supplying to undercover officer “Libby” on April 29 and June 4 and 5 last year.

Prosecutor Philip Adams said Ali, who was 18 at the time, sold three wraps of heroin and one of crack cocaine.

He was the front seat passenger in a vehicle on the first occasion and then at the wheel of a Volkswagen.

Mr Adams said Ali told Libby he was running the H20 Line. He was seen manning the phone and dealing the drugs.

Ali was arrested in December when he returned to Manchester Airport from Pakistan. His barrister, Stephen Wood QC, said Ali was naïve and vulnerable to exploitation by others.

“He was being used by more sophisticated and streetwise individuals,” Mr Wood told the court.

Ali had no previous convictions and he was assessed by his probation officer as being at a low risk of reoffending.

“He got in with the wrong crowd, tried to exhibit bravado and found himself in this predicament,” Mr Wood said. Ali had great potential and a glowing report from his former headteacher. Mr Wood said testimonials on behalf of the teenager were “moving and compelling.”

Judge Durham Hall sentenced Ali to two years in a young offender institution, suspended for two years, with 300 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

The judge said the court was anxious to distinguish between older men entrenched in drug trafficking and youngsters who had made a big mistake. They would be given a chance to save them “from a life of misery and crime.”

Ali’s “fine family” would ensure that he kept out of the trouble in the future.