A man has been jailed for drug dealing along a river footpath in Reading town centre.

Fahad Malik, aged 39, of Queens Road, Reading, was jailed for two years and three months following a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Monday 21 October.

Malik pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin, and one count of acquiring criminal property in the same hearing.

On August 7 this year, at around 10.40am on the Kennet side footpath, officers spotted Malik exchanging drugs.

He was seen to ride off on a pushbike towards Kings Road before returning. Malik then made off towards A327 before being detained by police.

Malik was seen to discard a grip seal bag containing 37 wraps of heroin and cocaine and a phone in the bushes.

He was then detained for a search under the Misuse of Drugs act - resulting in officers uncovering drugs and cash in Malik’s possession.

Following a search of Malik’s home address, another bag containing wraps of heroin and cocaine were discovered, alongside cash and drug paraphernalia. 

The total value of the drugs recovered in the region of £1,740. 

Malik was arrested the same day and was charged on August 8 this year.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jon Nicholls, based at Reading police station, said: “We are committed to proactively target and prosecute offenders and our activity will be both visible and covert aimed at disrupting and pursuing offenders involved in the supply of drugs.

“The information from the public around the drug supply offences in Reading plays an important role in developing intelligence into a proactive investigation.

“If you have any information we would encourage you to report it to us by calling 101 or through the online reporting on our website.

“You can also provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by ringing 0800 555 111 or via its website.”