A PROMISING young man who couldn’t find a job turned to dealing heroin and crack cocaine, a court heard.

Zacharia Huseen, 21, was caught selling the Class A drugs to an undercover cop in Basildon.

Lesli Sternberg, prosecuting, said Huseen, a former student who gained three Cs at A level, was filmed selling the drugs to a police officer, posing as a drug buyer under the name Nicky, twice in the town.

Despite his qualifications and a stable upbringing, Huseen fell into drugs after becoming frustrated with unsuccessful job-hunting and living on benefits.

Ms Sternberg said Nicky met Huseen and paid him £10 for 153mg of crack cocaine on April 25.

The following day, the undercover officer called the same number and Huseen met her again, this time selling her 153mg of crack cocaine and 140mg of heroin in separate wraps.

The deals were filmed by Nicky, and Huseen admitted three counts of supplying class A drugs at court.

The court heard unemployed Huseen had no previous convictions, and got involved with drug dealers after struggling to afford to live on benefits.

He had become frustrated at continually being rejected following job interviews, after leaving college in 2008.

Judge Ian Graham sentenced Huseen, of Roslyn Road in Tottenham, North London, to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as adhere to a curfew between 9pm and 7am.

The judge said: “I’m dealing with you on the basis you were acting as a delivery boy and were no higher up the chain of supply.

“You’ve had the benefits of a stable background and a good education and that cuts both ways, in that you should have known better than to get involved in this.

“I take the view this is a lapse that is completely out of character.”