Drugs driver jailed

Waseem Hussain ignored 30mph speed limits, overtaking a car on the brow of a hill, driving through a give-way without stopping and running a red light before police stopped his Audi.

Leeds Crown Court also heard that Hussain, 21, of Howard Place, Batley Carr, was already facing other drugs charges when he was stopped by officers in Staincliffe on January 3.

James Keeley prosecuting told the court that when Hussain was first stopped – in June last year – he was driving a Mazda in Knowles Hill Road, Dewsbury. Inside the car police found an aerosol can with a false bottom containing cash and 85 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin.

He was on police bail when he was later spotted driving the Audi. He sped off when he realised officers were following him.

Mr Keeley said the car smelled of cannabis and Hussain’s passenger, Muhammed Qasim Ali, also handed over a small amount of cannabis.

He said he knew Hussain was acting as a courier and had agreed to go along with him and assist him.

Hussain reached speeds of 80mph and went through a red light causing other cars to swerve and during the chase a package was thrown out of the passenger window. It was later recovered and found to contain drugs.

Eventually the car drove into a cul-de-sac and the two occupants were arrested.

The car key was discovered in Hussain’s pocket and two mobile phones, £240 and a napkin with a hand-written list on it were recovered from the car.

Hussain said he owed debts and had been threatened into the offences to pay them.

Robin Frieze representing Hussain said he had accrued debt over damage to a car. Since July he had been in custody which he had found an ‘unpleasant and chastening’ experience.

Adam Birkby for Ali said his court appearance had proved a “huge wake-up call” and he had behaved stupidly. He had stopped smoking cannabis and drinking and was aiming to become an accountant.

Hussain was jailed for four and a half years after admitting dangerous driving and two charges of possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply.

He was also banned from driving for 12 months.

The Recorder of Leeds Judge Peter Collier QC told him:”When you saw the police you set off at great speed and drove in a manner I regard as very dangerous.”

Ali, 18, of Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike, admitted possessing cannabis and possesing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply and was given 21 months in custody suspended for 18 months with 120 hours’ unpaid work and 15 days’ activity programme.