A STUDENT who sold crack cocaine just yards from college gates has been jailed.

Usman Maqsood, 18, was caught dealing the Class A drug at a phone box opposite Burnley College, in Ormerod Road, where he was studying to become an electrician.

He was jailed at Burnley Crown Court for 15 months after admitting possessing crack cocaine and admitting possession with intent to supply.

The case has been branded a “one-off incident” by college bosses but they have not confirmed whether a probe has been launched following the Maqsood’s jailing.

Detectives who investigated the case said the drugs group Maqsood had become involved with was run by “hands-off” organisers who use “runners” such as the student to do the dealing.

Sgt Jon Lobb, from the targeted crime team at Burnley police station, said: “The group he was involved with are recruiting young lads,” he added.

“It is exciting and glamorous for them. They are doing what they do and earning good money for it.

“That’s why people like Maqsood are getting into it.

“But we also think there’s a certain amount of bullying in it too. Once they start they cannot stop because they are in that circle.

“That is what happened here but we don’t know how. He had contacts and for whatever reason he got involved.

“He is quite a bright lad with a decent home life but he had his head turned by what he saw as easy money.”

Burnley Crown Court was told that police had been informed by a member of the public that drugs were being sold outside the college in Ormerod Road.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said officers went and saw three men there, near to a telephone box. All three were arrested but two were released without charge.

Miss Statham said Maqsood had on him a small silver container with two wraps of crack cocaine in.

Rocks of the drug were in his jacket pocket and he also had three mobile phones on him and £140 cash.

Officers went to the defendant's home, searched it and discovered digital scales in his bedroom and plastic bags.

Miss Statham said Maqsood was interviewed by police and was “extremely frank”. He would pick up crack cocaine after it was left in various places by “people he didn’t know”.

The prosecutor said Maqsood claimed he had been selling the rocks for £15 a time and if he received £100 for the drugs, he would get about £30. He said that he had started dealing as he had run up a debt of £700.

Miss Statham sad the student had obviously intended to carry on had he not been caught.

Joe Boyd, defending, said Maqsood “deeply regretted” the dealing and urged the court not to jail him.

However, Judge Simon Newell, jailing the student, said: “The message that would go out to other people at Burnley College is it’s all very well if you are dealing in crack cocaine and heroin and are only 17, 18, or 19 years of age and get caught, because not a lot is going to happen to you.

“That would mean an awful lot of drugs dealers would continue to put people like you in a position to deal.”

Following the case, Karen Buchanan, Burnley College’s assistant principal, said: “We are pleased that the police and courts have dealt seriously with those involved in this one-off incident.

“We are sure that parents in Burnley will be very encouraged by this firm action.”