Suspended sentence for Telford dealer who has 'turned over new leaf'

Mikial Zaman, 23, avoided an immediate prison term but the judge told him that it was not simply a case of wiping "the slate clean".

He was arrested in Telford on May 23, 2018 following a police tip-off.

He pleaded guilty to one offence of possessing a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride, a controlled drug of Class A, with intent to supply at an earlier hearing.

Miss Alison Scott-Jones, prosecuting, said: "Local police had information about a Vauxhall Astra being driven by this defendant. They saw the vehicle in Wellington. The driver sighted them and it was driven away at speed.

"The officers decided to follow it and describe it being driven erratically. It turned a corner and came to a halt at the side of the road.

"The defendant got out and began to walk away. He was stopped and searched along as well as the car. Inside there were two wraps of drugs, two mobile phones, and he had £560 in cash and a piece of paper with names and addresses.

"An address was found for him where electronic scales, several mobile phones and more names and addresses were discovered. He accepted that he had the drugs. He now accepts that he was using drugs himself and dealing to friends.

"In that respect he fits into having a significant role."

After that incident Zaman, of Village Drive, Lawley Village, was jailed for nine months suspended for two years for dangerous driving in October 2018 relating to a separate case. The court heard there had been a delay in dealing with the pre-dating drugs offences.

Mr Jas Mann, mitigating, told Shrewsbury Crown Court that Zaman was now abstaining from drug taking.

"He was subject to a significant suspended sentence some months later. He has since left that life well behind him. He is not the same man he was back in 2018," Mr Mann said.

Sentencing him Judge Peter Barrie said: "I recognise the good work that you have done.

"I cannot accept that because you have turned over a new leaf that you have wiped the slate clean. I do not find that there is enough to persuade me to step out of the guidelines. I do find good reason to take the sentence at the bottom of the range."

Zaman was jailed for four months suspended for one year. He must pay the victims' surcharge. The judge made a forfeiture and destruction order for the drugs, scales and phones.