A DEALER who supplied heroin to undercover police repeatedly outside a Burnley church is behind bars.

The town’s crown court was told how father-of-two Awais Shah, 25, sold drugs to an undercover officer at St Andrew’s Church, Duke Bar.

He also told the officer to meet him around the corner in Hurtley Street to avoid being captured on the CCTV in the church car park.

Shah claimed he was a runner because he had been in debt but a judge said he had been willing to supply drugs.

The defendant, now of Hattersley Industrial Estate, Hyde, Cheshire, admitted three counts of supplying heroin in June 2007. He was sent to prison for three months.

Sentencing, Recorder Anthony Cross, QC, said: “I am satisfied that this was a defendant who was a volunteer rather than a conscript.”

The judge added however, the offences were committed two years ago and Shah had not offended since. He had no previous convictions and the sentence could be reduced, David Macro, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was caught out in Operation Nimrod. An undercover officer rang a telephone number known to be used by a dealer and asked for a tenth of ‘brown’, a slang name for heroin.

An arrangement was made to meet at a bus depot on the outskirts of Burnley and the officer then got a call telling him to go to St Andrew’s Church. Heroin to the tune of £45 was handed over at the side of the church.

Mr Macro said the next day the officer rang the number again and was again directed to the church. Another £45 deal was done.

Shah later told the officer to meet him on Hurtley Street because of the CCTV cameras at the church.

The defendant claimed he agreed to act as a runner because of the pressure.

The court heard Shah’s involvement was low level and he did not make any profit.