A DRUG pusher who claimed he was forced into dealing when a gun was put to his head has been jailed for 16 months.

Rizwan Umar, aged 20, pleaded guilty to dealing around £1,800 worth of heroin and crack cocaine when he appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday.

He told the court a drug gang forced him into dealing when he made the mistake of hurling a brick at their car because they had driven past him shouting abuse at his mother.

He said the gang claimed he "owed them" because he had damaged their car, and that a gun was put to his head. He also said the gang threatened his family.

Judge William Morris said he believed Umar had been threatened but that he had lied in parts of his evidence and that it was his duty to go to the police no matter what the threat.

Umar, of Nottingham Drive, Bolton, said he dealt in heroin and crack cocaine on around six occasions in September and December last year, charging £30 for a wrap of each.

He was arrested in January after he was caught selling to undercover officers on September 18 and 22 last year during a major police operation.

The court heard that Umar had phoned the police in December to say his family was being harassed but he left the house before police could question him. And he did not mention the threats in police interviews following his arrest.

Charlotte Holland, defending, said the threats made it an "exceptional" case.

Sentencing Umar to 16 months in a Young Offenders Institution, Judge William Morris said he was prepared to accept some of what Umar had said, but that he had also lied in parts of his evidence.

He told Umar: "Anyone who involves themselves in the wicked trade of drug dealing does a terrible thing because of the effect it has on the wider community. The simple fact is that someone in your position has a duty to go to the police and you did not do that."