Teenage drug dealer given second chance after being caught with stash of cannabis and temazepam

Back when he was 19, Aqib Mahmood, was pulled over by police, in an intelligence-led operation in Brierfield.

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He was found to have 13 small bags of cannabis ready to sell, alongside 52 temazepam tablets.

Burnley Crown Court heard he also had two bundles of cash, £280 in one pocket and £41 in another, and his mobile phone contained text messages consistent with him being a regular dealer.

But his defence counsel argued that Mahmood had turned his life around since being busted in March 2014 and he now wanted to make a fresh start.

Mahmood, of Every Street, Nelson, who admitted possession of cannabis and temazepam with intent to supply, was given a 12-months jail term, suspended for 18 months, by Judge Simon Newell.

The judge had previously bailed Mahmood for five days so he could produce evidence he had been enrolled on a course at Burnley College, as he claimed.

The defendant had also notched up a conviction for cannabis possession, in May 2012.

Joe Boyd, defending Mahmood at a previous hearing, said: “He is 21 now but at the time of the offences he was 19.

“Through no fault of his own he has been waiting for 18 months for this serious matter to come to court, which has caused him serious distress and put his life on hold,” he went on to say..

Mr Boyd said the defendant, who had character references from Whitefield councillor Nadeem Ahmed and the Ghausia Centre in Brierfield.

The court also heard how Mahmood, had received counselling for his problems.

Mahmood had enrolled on a motor mechanics course at Burnley College.

He had a new wife in Pakistan, who he wished to bring to this country, depending on the outcome of the case, the court heard.

His mother and father were both unwell, said Mr Boyd, and he helped to look after their needs.

The court heard the defendant had been addicted to cannabis at the time and had acted under someone else’s direction.