Stockton dealer who sold drugs near two schools is jailed

Stephen Swainston was snared during Operation Eros where an undercover police officer posed as an addict to bust heroin and crack cocaine gangs.

The 28-year-old was on bail for earlier drugs offences when he supplied the detective in Stockton in May last year, Teesside Crown Court was told.

In March the previous year, Swainston had a wrap of heroin when police searched his car at a filling station in the town's Mandale Triangle.

Passenger Leah Wilson hid more heroin valued at £20 and £260 worth of crack cocaine in an intimate area when the driver passed it to her.

The drugs were found when officers searched the pair at Middlesbrough police station, prosecutor Rachael Masters told the court yesterday.

The following month, Swainston was discovered asleep in his car in Suffolk Street, Stockton, with a small amount of heroin, said Miss Masters.

His lawyer Peter Wishlade told Judge Tony Briggs: "He freely accepts he was, on both occasions, involved in dealing drugs.

"He does not come to this court offering any spurious explanations as to why he was involved. He was dealing to feed his own habit."

The court heard that he broke his neck in a motorbike crash, and developed a "catastrophic" addiction after starting heroin for pain relief.

Peter Sabiston, for Wilson, said since her arrest almost two years ago, she has kicked her serious habit, and has moved in with her mother.

"She is clearly somebody who has taken stock of her life and is doing her best to put it in order," Mr Sabiston told the court.

Wilson, of Bath Street, Stockton, admitted two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and was given a suspended jail term.

The 12 months was suspended for 18 months, and the 28-year-old was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work.

Swainston, of Tipton Close, Stockton, admitted five Class A charges - conspiracy to supply, supply, possession, and two of possession with intent to supply.