JAILED: Two Black Country drug dealers who were arrested THREE years ago

Recorder Anthony Lowe told 30-year-old Qasif Hussain and Abdul Malik, aged 32, at Wolverhampton Crown Court: "What ever the crime, no one should have to wait this long to learn their fate."

It was explained that the death of a barrister involved in the case had added to delays caused by the time it took to piece together mobile phone cell site details, surveillance records and other information.

Mr Walton Hornsby, prosecuting, said both men had been dealing heroin in £10 and £20 packages on the streets of Wolverhampton at various times between June 2012 and May of the following year.

He continued: "Malik took over the role from another person who was in custody, took instructions from him and only dealt with the man's existing customers.

He did not add any new ones during his operation that ran from June to November 2012. Hussain used a 'dirty' phone to supply heroin street deals between January and May 2013."

Hussain became involved within days of being released on licence from a 25 month prison sentence imposed for an identical offence, the court heard.

Mr Graeme Wilson, representing father of three Malik, said the defendant had turned his life around since his arrest, working hard at his job while also caring for his father and teaching autistic children to box.

Mr Andrew Wallace, for Hussain, explained: "He was a drug user when he went into prison and a drug user when he came out and so quickly returned to his former lifestyle.

"He then got involved in the supply of drugs."

Malik from Needwood Drive, Lanesfield admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and supplying the drug on November 15 2012.

He was jailed for two years two months while Hussain of Eastney Crescent, Pendeford pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply and received a two year six month sentence.

Recorder Lowe said he had reduced both prison terms because of the defendants had been waiting for the case to be concluded.