Drug dealer from Nelson stocked up on cannabis for Eid
1:00pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter
A CONVICTED drug dealer who stocked up on cannabis for Eid has walked free from court for a second time because of his sick mother.
Munir Raza, 31, said to be his mother’s sole carer, had been spared prison last April after she wrote a letter saying she couldn’t manage without him.
The defendant’s mother, who has kidney and pancreatic disorders, had urged a judge: “Please look at me and forgive him.”
Raza had been given six months in jail, suspended for 18 months, with 120 hours unpaid work, after admitting possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
He was facing the possibility of being locked up this week after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis while subject to the suspended term.
But Raza, of Stanley Street, Nelson, was given a second suspended term, after his mother’s health problems meant he was spared custody again.
Raza was sentenced to one month in prison, suspended for two years, with 80 hours’ unpaid work, and the judge extended the period of the first suspended term from 18 months to two years. Raza must pay £200 costs.
David Macro, prosecuting, said police saw Raza driving a car badly, last October 25.
The fog lamp was on, but it wasn’t foggy, and so officers followed the vehicle until it was blocked in a street.
They approached and the defendant was moving his hands frantically down the left side of the driver’s seat.
The door was opened and there was a strong smell of cannabis. Three snap bags of canabis were found - two in his pocket and one in the car.
Raza said he had bought the drugs for Eid for himself, and to share with friends.
The court had heard last April how Raza had had about 48 grams of the drug, worth almost £500 on the streets, in a car he was driving.
Richard Taylor, defending , said Raza accepted full responsibility.
