Man whose van was used to dump drugs in Bradford ordered to do unpaid work
A 34 year old man has been sentenced - after admitting to owning a van used to flytip cannabis
A MAN whose van was used to dump 60 bags of cannabis on a Bradford street has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
Magistrates told Ahmar Mohammed that fly tipping was a “blight on society,” and even though he had not dumped the bags himself, he had only just avoided prison.
At a court appearance last month, Mohammed, 34, of Mavis Street, admitted that he owned the vehicle that the bags of drugs were dumped from – but magistrates heard that he was too scared to reveal who was driving it at the time.
On January 3, 2023 a Ford Transit van was caught on CCTV pulling up to the junction of Prospect Road and Spinkwell Close.
Two men were in the van, and while one was stood smoking, the other removed the 60 bags from the van and dumped them on the street.
Council officers were called to the scene, and it was found that the bags contained cannabis and cannabis remnants.
Mohammed was found to be the owner of the vehicle.
He told officers that he was indeed the owner, but was not involved in the dumping. He often let people borrow his vehicles.
He said in this case he did so under duress.
He would not name the men who he loaned the van to for fear of repercussions.
The case had been adjourned for a probation report, and Mohammed appeared in court on Friday to be sentenced.
When asked if he had anything to say, he told the court: “I’ve been given the wrong advice by the courts. I was told that if I pleaded guilty I’d only get a fine. The only reason I pleaded guilty was because I wanted to put this behind me.”
Asked if he was sorry for what happened, he said he was sorry for loaning his van out, but he had no role in the fly tipping.
He was told as it was registered to him, he was responsible, and he should have shown due diligence over who he loaned it to.
He said the men he loaned the van to knew he was in court, and when asked if he was forced to let them use the vehicle, he said: “I felt I had no choice.”
Chair of the Bench Steven Feeley said: “I hope you understand how serious this offence was.
“It is a blight on society, and if you are involved in it, rest assured, you will be dealt with.
“Your part in this was limited, but you were negligent in not pursuing what the van would be used for.
“I understand you might have been pressured into lending it, but if you do things like that, this is what will happen.
“There is a potential you could have gone to prison today.”
Instead the bench imposed a 12 month community order, which will involve 120 hours of unpaid work.
He will also have to pay £1,087 costs to Bradford Council and a £114 surcharge.
Mr Feeley said: “If you do anything similar you know where you’re going. Enough is enough, that’s the message for everyone.”