Luton thug jailed for weapons and drug offences

A man has been jailed for 14 months after pleading guilty to a number of weapons and drug offences after an incident in January.

Safeed Rafiq, 34, of Selbourne Road, Luton, pleaded guilty to drugs possession, threatening behaviour and possession of a knife in a public place and was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Friday, March 13.

On January 17, officers were called to a concern for welfare of a man in a petrol station car park in Dunstable Road, Luton.

When they arrived they found Rafiq in a parked car asleep at the wheel, surrounded by drug paraphernalia and a large quantity of cash.

The officers offered him medical treatment, however he refused before giving them false details and fleeing the scene. He was then arrested shortly after.

Officers searched the vehicle and found cocaine, heroin as well as large machete.

In the course of the investigation it was discovered that Rafiq was also involved in another incident in Luton earlier that day, where he threatened a man after he was parked in a reserved parking bay and was asked to leave.

Rafiq was sentenced to eight months for possession of an offensive weapon, two months for threatening behaviour, one month for possession of cocaine and one month for possession of diamorphine.

His offences also activate previous suspended sentences for weapon and drugs possession totalling 14 months imprisonment.

Detective Constable Tracey Joyce, who investigated, said: “Throughout 17 January Rafiq was involved in a number of criminal activities and showed no regard for other members of the community.

“Additionally his behaviours, fuelled by drugs, put him in vulnerable position which alarmed concerned members of the public. Drugs cause damage to our communities and underpin some of the most serious crimes.

“Rafiq is a violent and dangerous and will now spend time behind bars to pay for his actions.”