A MAN drawn into a life a crime to repay a drugs debt has been spared jail after being caught by police with Class A and Class B drugs.

Umar Hussain admitted possession of cocaine and possession with intent to supply of cannabis after being arrested on January 6 this year.

The 25-year-old, of Park Avenue House, Powell Avenue, Canterbury, was told yesterday at Bradford Crown Court he was “peddling misery” by being involved in the drugs trade.

The court was told how on January 6, a wintry Monday evening, Hussain was driving along Moore Avenue in Great Horton when he was spotted by police.

Officer noticed there was front end damage to his Skoda Octavia, and pulled him over.

When officers approached the vehicle, they noticed the smell of cannabis coming from the car.

A roadside drugs test was conducted on Hussain, who was driving the vehicle, and he tested positive for both cocaine and cannabis.

Police searched the vehicle and found a bundle of cash to the sum of £655, as well as six wraps of cocaine with an estimated street value of around £57.

Upon further inspection, cannabis was also found hidden under one of the car’s seats, with an estimated street value of £219.

A set of electric scales were also found in the glove compartment of the vehicle.

Hussain told police that the cannabis was for personal use, and denied knowledge of there being cocaine in the car.

He also told police that the £655 cash that was in the car was going to be used to buy a new car since his current vehicle was damaged.

The court heard that Hussain has one previous conviction for robbery, and pleaded guilty to the drugs charges at the first opportunity.

In mitigation, Gerald Hendron told the court that in the past Hussain has previously been in work, both at a legal firm and also for a distribution and delivery firm.

He said Hussain is currently recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained “after falling off a wheelie bin”.

“He became involved with drugs, using cocaine and cannabis,” Mr Hendron said.

“He acquired a debt and sold drugs for others to clear that debt.

“It’s always serious to be involved in the sale of drugs but this is a young man who has demonstrated the positive aspects of his nature.”

In handing down a 30-week sentence, suspended for 18 months, Judge Jonathan Gibson told Hussain: “Any drugs offence is serious, particularly supply type offences which are extremely serious.

“Whenever you sell drugs you are peddling misery, and you were found with drugs and scales.

“Class A drugs have very severe consequences for most people, and so can Class B drugs.

“But, you are willing to work and have no relevant previous convictions, and with appropriate intervention from the Probation Service there is a reasonable hope you will not be back in front of the courts, but only time will tell.

“If you do not comply with your sentence you could be sent to prison to serve the 30 weeks, and if you offend again you’re liable to serve this sentence plus any other sentence.”

Hussain was also ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work and complete 28 days of rehabilitation activity.