An addict forced to sell drugs by her abusive partner was arrested after an undercover police officer bought heroin from her on four separate occasions.

Nina Smith was selling the Class A drugs in Stockton town centre when she was first introduced to the officer.

After giving out her mobile telephone number, the officer was able to arrange three more deals between March 6 and 13, 2021, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said on the first occasion Smith told the officer to follow her along Yarm Lane towards William Street before pulling a bag from inside her clothing and sold him a deal of heroin before passing him the mobile phone number.

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She said Smith told the officer to ask for ‘fatty’ when he called for more drugs and did so on three further occasions on March 10, 11, and 13. Each time he picked the drugs up from the defendant.

Smith, of Bousefield Lane, Stockton, pleaded guilty to four charges of supplying a Class A drug.

John Nixon, mitigating, said the 35-year-old was taking steps to deal with her drug and alcohol addictions as well as ending her volatile relationship with her abusive partner.

He added: “The calls were answered by a male on two occasions who indicated that the drugs would be available and it was the defendant who produced the drugs on those occasions.”

Judge Jonathan Carroll raised concerns about the length of time it took for the case to make its way through the criminal justice system before imposing a suspended sentence.

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He said: “You were seen by the officer to recover plastic items from your top which had a number of wraps in them, which showed you were not dealing just once or twice but on every opportunity that was presented to you.”

Smith was sentenced to two years in custody suspended for two years and made subject of a two-year drug testing requirement.

“You were in a destructive relationship and he was no good for you. You were in effect the tool for his drug dealing,” the judge added.

“Until you get your head around the fact that only person who can change the outcome is you, you are not going to change.”

The defendant was also made subject to an 18-month alcohol treatment programme and to attend 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days.