A MAN who was caught trying to sell cocaine in the shadow of Burnley Town Hall has been jailed for two years.

Drug addict Umaier Denzil, 22, was spotted by town centre CCTV operators acting suspiciously in the rear car park behind the borough council offices.

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And when he was arrested by Lancashire Police he confessed to dishing out cocaine to a circle of friends and acquaintances for around four months, the town’s crown court was told.

Denzil’s family were said to be distraught that the ‘well-educated and intelligent’ youngster had become involved in the drugs trade, as he also admitted selling cannabis, but they insisted they would stand by him, the court heard.

Jailing him, Judge Andrew Woolman said: “It is extremely sad to see someone like you in the dock at all.

“There are many things that can be said in your favour.

“You were very frank with your probation officer about the extent of your drug dealing and you have no previous convictions.”

But the judge said he could not consider a suspended sentence as there was no pressure on the teenager to deal in cocaine, other than to support his own habit.

Denzil, of Stanthorpe Walk, Burnley, admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Graham Swan, defending, said the defendant’s decision to deal drugs within the town centre, just a short distance away from the crown court building itself, had to be viewed as ‘crass’.

He added: “The defendant is an educated young man who has been in employment for some time.

“He has the support of his family and his father, brother and uncle sit at the side of the court.

“He is quite right in his pre-sentence report when he says that he has let everyone down.”

The court heard Denzil had been the subject of a curfew for the past six-and-a-half months.

It also heard that the defendant had not taken cocaine since the day of his arrest.