RISHTON DRUG DEALER ALI ZAMAN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTS AND DRUG CRIMES
Ali Zaman, aged 19, has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison after being convicted of multiple crimes including assault, possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, and dangerous driving.The incidents spanned over two years, beginning with an assault on his partner, where he initially collected her from her house on February 15, 2023, and subsequently engaged in a violent altercation.
During the assault, Zaman accused his partner of lying, called her abusive names, and demanded money for petrol, which escalated to him punching her, pulling her hair, and banging her face against a window.
The attack caused her to lose a front tooth and suffer injuries inside her lip, leading to ongoing trauma, including PTSD, flashbacks, and severe anxiety.
The court heard the victim now has constant suicidal thoughts and has become socially isolated, unable to work or leave the house easily.
Zaman also harassed her further by calling her repeatedly and riding a motorbike outside her house shouting abuse, intensifying the trauma.
In December 2023, Zaman was caught driving a stolen vehicle at high speed through Blackburn, disregarding traffic signals and endangering others, while police pursued him.
He was later stopped after attempting to evade officers, and a search of his car revealed wraps of crack cocaine and heroin valued at over £1,080, along with £320 cash and a blue iPhone.
Additional drugs were found at his home.
Zaman's defense argued his actions were influenced by vulnerability and lack of maturity, citing his participation in educational courses since being remanded in custody.
The judge noted that Zaman's age did not justify his behavior but provided context, and he was also banned from approaching his former partner's address and disqualified from driving for two years.
A statement from the police highlighted the community's role in removing Zaman from the streets, emphasizing that his behaviour was unacceptable and encouraging others to report drug dealing.
