A FATHER who claimed he was dealing drugs to pay for the heroin and cocaine police seized from him months earlier has been jailed for six and a half years.

Preston Crown Court heard Shamus Hussain Shah was arrested in Wellington Road, Blackburn, at 11.30pm on July 5 following a car chase which saw him speed through a red light.

Prosecuting, Hanifa Patel said when 25-year-old Shah and his Toyota Yaris was searched officers found cocaine with a street value of £2,080, heroin with a street value of £400 and £785 in cash. They also seized two mobile phones which were used for drug dealing.

After a police interview in which he answered no comment to questions, Shah, of Tenby Close, Blackburn, was released under investigation.

Ms Patel said that at 3pm on November 6 police pulled alongside a blue Rover suspected of being used by drug dealers in Blackburn.

The court heard Shah was in the driver’s seat and panicked, put the car in gear and sped off. When his car became trapped he abandoned the Rover and ran off.

Ms Patel said that during the foot chase with officers Shah was seen to discard mobile phones into hedges, as well as bags of cocaine.

Shah pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, possession of criminal property, dangerous driving, careless driving, and driving without a licence or insurance.

Defending, Bob Sastry said his client had some difficulties as a youngster growing up in Blackburn which brought him to the attention of the courts.

After moving to Bolton for a fresh start he ended up getting mixed up in dealing cannabis and was jailed.

On release from prison he moved back to Blackburn and ended up dealing Class A drugs. After his first arrest and the subsequent seizure of the cocaine and heroin, Shah said those who the drugs belonged to threatened him and his heavily pregnant girlfriend unless he recouped their losses by continuing to deal.

Judge Mark Brown, the Recorder of Preston, also banned Shah from driving for five years.