AN eight-strong drugs gang snared by police after a lengthy undercover operation will have to serve even longer in jail, because of a change in judges' sentencing powers.

The eight, all Darlington men, had been handed sentences earlier this month totalling almost 35 years after admitting conspiracy to supply large amounts of cocaine and ecstasy.

Yesterday, they were brought back to Teesside Crown Court and re-sentenced after it emerged that new sentencing powers under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which entitled them to a discount, did not actually apply to them.

The Act came into force on April 4 - the day the men were originally sentenced - but it only applies to offences committed after that date.

Roger Bowers, 27, of Kexwith Moor Close, Darlington, received the longest sentence, eight years compared to one previously of six years, eight months.

Paul Wilson, 26, of Willow Road, was jailed for six years (five years, one month), Shaun Robson, 30, of Inglewood Road, five years (four years, three months) and Alistair Douglas, 33, of Duke Street, five years (four years, three months).

Also sentenced were Tony Hall, 40, of Station Road, five years (four years, three months), Matthew Pybus, 27, of Oxford Street, five years (four years, three months), Mark Starkey, 32, of Snipe Lane, Hurworth Moor, three years, nine months (three years, two months) and John Nicholson, 37, of Estoril Road South, three years six months (three years).

Judge John Walford said there had been uncertainty as to whether the new powers were in force and he was now required to correct the sentences.

The Criminal Justice Act 2003 allows for shorter sentences to be passed by judges, while at the same time extending licence periods for some prisoners once they are released.

All of those sentenced were arrested as a result of Durham Police's Operation Karaman, which began in 2003 and ended in a series of raids across Darlington on June 9 last year in which drugs worth £150,000 were seized.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Malkin, who led the investigation, said: "I am delighted that the position has been reviewed in relation to the sentences passed, which reflect the gravity of the offences committed by those concerned."