A magnetic sensor for use in a data storage device is described. The magnetic sensor includes a composite layer comprising a free layer portion and a bias layer portion each comprising a magnetic material, a shield layer comprising a magnetic material, and a continuous spacer layer comprising a non-magnetic material, the spacer layer separating the shield layer from the composite layer such that the magnetic coupling between the shield layer and the bias layer portion is stronger than the magnetic coupling between the shield layer and the free layer portion. A disk drive comprising a rotatable magnetic recording disk and the slider including the magnetic sensor arranged with the magnetic recording disk is also described.