A PENSIONER and his partner have both appeared in court facing a number of drug charges.

Richard Carlyon and Andrea Darbyshire ran their illicit dealing enterprise from an address in Stockton town centre before police raided the property and recovered a variety of drugs.

The home of 74-year-old Carlyon and Darbyshire, 46, on Trinity Street was raided by police in December 2019.

John Batchelor, prosecuting, said a search of the terraced house recovered the drugs, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia.

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Teesside Crown Court heard how Carlyon told officers that the drugs were nothing to do with him but his mobile phone had a text message on it referring to a deal being made.

Mr Batchelor said other messages showed Darbyshire was involved in the supply of heroin to people in the Stockton area.

The Northern Echo: Andrea DarbyshireAndrea Darbyshire

He said both defendants had relevant previous convictions for drug related offences.

Carlyon, of Bowesfield Lane, Stockton, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a Class C prescription drug.

Darbyshire, of Dixon Street, Stockton, pleaded guilty possession with intent to supply heroin, possession of cocaine and four charges relating to possession of illegal prescription drugs.

Ismael Uddin, representing Darbyshire, said: "This is not unusual for people who are users to become suppliers but they are very far removed from the young people in very expensive cars driving around town centre's supplying drugs."

Brian Russell, for Carlyon, said his client sold some tablets for eight cigarettes – that was the level of his dealing.

Recorder Simon Goldberg sentenced Darbyshire to four years and eight months in prison for supplying heroin.

Carlyon was fined £325 and given a 12-month curfew between 6pm and 6am.

Their drugs den was shut down after neighbours complained about feeling intimated, isolated and fearful of being victims of violence.

The Northern Echo: Cleveland Police closed down the drugs denCleveland Police closed down the drugs den

The terraced property was closed by police in February 2020 following a series of complaints about the property over the past 18 months, including ones about drug use and drug dealing, a constant flow of visitors at all hours and physical fighting, as well as verbal abuse and threats, urinating in the street, littering, and vandalism.

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