A HEROIN addict who had no recollection of securing a £20 deal for an undercover cop has been given a suspended sentence.

David Webb met the police officer in Darlington town centre and agreed to help him score some heroin.

The 37-year-old, who had been an addict for more than 20 years, wandered around the town with the undercover officer looking for known drug dealers before taking him to his 'squalid' squat in the town in October 2018.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the defendant then took the officer to a property on St John's Crescent in the town and picked up a £20 deal for him.

Webb, of Montrose Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.

Michele Turner, in mitigation, said Webb was managing to turn his life around following his arrest and had weaned himself of heroin, had secured safe accommodation and was receiving mental health support.

Miss Turner urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence while Webb continued to turn his life around with proper support in the community.

Judge Deborah Sherwin sentenced Webb to four months in custody, suspended for 12 months.

She said: "You have managed to get yourself really sorted out and it does seem to me unjust to send you to prison now and set all of that work back."