Jail for former star student Sami Raza who got into drugs at college

Sami Raza, 21, of Tunbridge Place, Preston, tried to flee and throw his bag at another man when foiled by police on Samuel Street in Preston, but is now beginning a prison term.

Prosecuting at Sessions House court, Lisa Worsley said: "It was 7.30pm on April 21 when two PCs who were on duty saw two men standing at the rear of an alleyway on Samuel Street.

" They formed the view the two men were acting suspiciously and one was believed to be involved in drugs.

"They approached the man at which point the defendant ran away. the officers spoke to the other man before they drove off. They subsequently saw the two men again at the junction of Samuel Street and New Hall Lane.

"The officer got out and asked if he had anything on him and he replied: 'No'.

"He was asked to come to the police vehicle for a chat and the officer asked his name.

"He was told he was going to be detained. He suddenly turned and ran away, took off the bag and threw it to the other man.

"The bag was intercepted and Raza was detained."

The court heard cocaine with an 84 percent purity and a street value of between £600 and £2,000 was found in the bag, along with a mobile phone containing calls and messages indicating drug dealing.

He has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drug.

Raza, a man of previous good character, left school with five As and two Bs, obtained a distinction in electrical engineering at college, and was said to come from a "good family" by defence lawyer David Traynor.

He told the court Raza was dealing to pay off a drug debt after getting into drugs at college.

But Judge Graham Knowles QC jailed him for two and half years.

He said: "If somebody chooses to get class A drugs on credit terms from a dealer and that dealer then wants repayment, the court can't say that is mitigation."