A UNIVERSITY graduate who acted as a driver for a Keighley drug dealer has been told to demonstrate that he can be “a force for good and not for evil” and to move away from the drugs trade.

A judge at Bradford Crown Court told Ammir Mahmood that he was being given a chance by having the prospect of a jail sentence deferred – but only if he could support himself honestly.

The court heard that Mahmood, 26, of Devonshire Street West, Keighley, was caught as part of a large-scale operation by West Yorkshire Police to crack down on gangs dealing drugs in the town and across the county border into Skipton.

Prosecutor Philip Adams said Mahmood drove drug dealer Dawud Hussain on three occasions on September 6 and 21, 2023, and on October 8 that year, when wraps of cocaine were sold to two women.

The women were undercover police officers. The deals were captured on camera and Mahmood was later picked out in an identity parade.

Hussain, 25, of Victoria Mews, Keighley, was jailed earlier this month for four years and four months.

Mr Adams said the deals were made via a cash line in which the officers called to order “three for 50”, purchasing three wraps of cocaine for £50 on each occasion.

Mahmood drove a different car for each exchange carried out by Hussain. Two of the cars were insured to him.

The cash line number was traced to Hussain via his mobile phone number.

Mahmood surrendered to police following a visit to his home on April 25 this year. He answered “no comment” to questions during an interview but later pleaded guilty to three counts of supplying a controlled Class A drug.

Mr Adams said Mahmood had occupied a limited role in the drug exchanges and had not been in possession of drugs or mobile phones. He said Hussain had been the dealer.

In a statement read to the court Inspector John Barker, who heads Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said Class A drug-dealing was having a significant impact on the town and that the public wanted the police to do something about the problem.

Mitigating, Eleanor Fry said Mahmood, a university graduate, had made “a very stupid and expensive mistake” in that he had sought to make money after the failure of a dessert business. She said he had worked as an NHS courier during the Covid pandemic, had volunteered for a year with West Yorkshire Youth Service Council and with the charity Green Crescent Aid.

She added: “This is a young man for whom immediate custody would be devastating and have a huge impact.”

His Honour Judge Colin Burn said there was “no doubt” that Mahmood was assisting in the supply of cocaine, and that “the very prevalent drugs trade” in Keighley was causing “horrendous damage” to the community. He challenged Mahmood to prove over the next six months that he could completely distance himself from illegal drugs, disassociate himself from people involved in dealing, “and demonstrate that you can be a force for good rather than a force for evil.”

He deferred sentence until January 17 next year but warned Mahmood that if he re-offends he would face immediate jail time of around 28 months.