A DRUG DEALER has received a suspended prison sentence for offences committed in Reading.

Sohail Asghar, 20, of Romsey Road, has been sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply Class A drug crack cocaine and one count of possession with intent to supply Class A drug heroin.

Asghar’s 20 months’ imprisonment is suspended for 18 months, during which time he must carry out unpaid work for 200 hours by June 2018. He must also undertake rehabilitation.

The sentences were handed to him at Reading Crown Court following a hearing on June, 16, 2017.

Asghar was arrested on January, 21, 2016 on Southampton Street, Reading. On arrest officers recovered a mobile phone with text messages offering to sell Class A drugs.

An address in Southampton Street was searched and 300 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine were found plus cash. He was charged on November 14, 2016.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Neil Callaway, of Reading Police Station, said: “Sohail Asghar was lucky to receive a suspended sentence for this offence, which involved a large quantity of class A drugs.

“This was because it was accepted that he played a lesser role in a larger drug-dealing operation.

“I hope that he learns a lesson from this experience and is never again tempted to become involved in this crime that damages so many people’s lives, as well as the communities they live in.”