A MAYOR has defended his decision to give his support to a man who was jailed for dealing drugs.

Jhangir Akbar, 38, of Railway View, Brierfield, admitted eight charges of supplying heroin and crack cocaine.

The mayor of Brierfield Town Council, Naeem Ashraf, who has been the town's mayor since May, wrote a character reference for him to be read out at Burnley Crown Court in his defence.

He has been criticised as a result by councillors, who have called his actions an error of judgement'.

Akbar was arrested in an undercover police operation called Operation Nimrod. He had been using his job as a taxi driver as a cover for his activities and was jailed for 44 months.

Mr Ashraf had heard of his former friend's arrest and had written a letter of support to be used in his defence.

He said: "I have known him for a long time. We used to play for the same football team so I wanted to give him my support.

"I was shocked with what had happened but I had not seen him for a long while.

"I did not comment on if he was a good person or a bad person.

"I gave him a character reference as a community member and as a friend."

Naseem Shabnam, Brierfield ward councillor, said: "I don't think he should have given the character reference out.

"He should have set more of a good example by supporting the police in the crack down.

"This is sending out the wrong message and we can't go around supporting the people who sell drugs to children.

"The message we should be sending out is that money from drugs doesn't last forever and that you will eventually be caught.

"The police have done a really god job in catching the people who deal drugs because drugs is an going issue in Brierfield which is affecting young children in the area.

"It was an error of judgement and I don't know why he gave the reference."

Frank Wren, Brierfield ward councillor, said: "I think it was naive of him to have got involved and given him a character reference.

"Anyone dealing drugs in the area will get caught and councillors will not tolerate this behaviour in our area."

Akbar had been operating principally from Victors Cabs in Railway Street and had a stock of drugs in the console of his vehicle.

His brother Qasim Akbar, was jailed two weeks ago for 39 months for supplying drugs in the same operation.