An “easily led” street drug dealer, paid cash and cigarettes to run errands for criminals, has been spared a jail sentence.

Mohammed Jamil Khaliq, 20, was caught red-handed in the Belgrave Road area of Keighley with 17 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, Bradford Crown Court heard on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply on November 5 last year.

Prosecutor Helen Chapman said Khaliq, of Broomfield Road, Keighley, was seen acting suspiciously in a hooded top at 11.15am. He was chased by police officers on foot and arrested.

At the police station, £30 in cash was found hidden in the lining of his shorts.

Khaliq’s barrister, Jayne Beckett, said he was of low intelligence and easily led.

He often stayed at home in his room because he was known in the community as a soft touch and susceptible to pressure and bullying.

“He is the sort of young man that more sophisticated offenders lean on,” Mrs Beckett said. She added Khaliq hoped to resume his studies at Keighley College.

He was sentenced to a 12-month high level community order with an activity requirement, 80 hours of unpaid work and a three-month curfew order.