A BRADFORD man has avoided jail for being caught drug dealing during the first few days of the initial national lockdown.

Mahmood Hussain, 46, of Killinghall Drive, faced three charges of being in possession of a quantity of cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis with intent to supply.

Police spotted a Seat Leon in Bradford Lane, Laisterdyke, at just before midnight on March 27, 2020 – just four days into the first national lockdown imposed due to the pandemic.

Hussain was seen with three men in the vehicle and he was sat in the drivers’ seat.

Hussain pleaded guilty to all three charges at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for 16 months for the cocaine charge and jailed for one month for each of the amphetamine and cannabis charges, to run concurrently. All three charges were suspended for two years.

In mitigation, Hussain had never been in custody before and had no relevant previous convictions, Bradford Crown Court heard on March 25. Recorder Judy Dawson told Hussain: “This offence occurred in the first week of lockdown.

“You have not been in any trouble with the police since.

“In the circumstances, I am going to give you a second chance.”

He was also ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work in the community for the offences.