Catching tragic teenager's drugs supplier 'is unlikely'

It is nearly a year since the death of schoolgirl Catherine Longstaff, who had ambitions of becoming a doctor.

A student at King James First Community College, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, she was predicted to have a bright future ahead of her, but died two months short of her 16th birthday after taking what police believe was a heroin overdose.

No one has been charged directly for the crime of supplying the teenager with the Class A drug.

Detective Inspector Ted Edgar, of Bishop Auckland CID, admitted yesterday that bringing the supplier to justice would be difficult.

He pledged to do everything in his power to track the person down, but fears he may never be charged with the young girl's death.

Police have re-doubled their efforts to to weed out dealers in the Bishop Auckland area after the tragedy.

He said: "I wouldn't like to say this person may never be caught, but the prospect of a prosecution is very unlikely. However it won't deter us from still actively investigating it."

He said police are continuing their battle against heroin and other illegal drugs in the town, and have made inroads with recent raids in the town.

Earlier this month police seized three kilograms of cannabis, with an estimated street value of at least £10,000, and a quantity of amphetamines after raiding five homes in Bishop Auckland.

Five suspected drug dealers were arrested as a result.

Last November, 80 police raided Hogan's bar, on the town's Newgate Street, targeting drugs, which resulted in one man being charged with a serious drugs offence.

Det Insp Edgar said: "We will consider all information relating to any person suspected of supplying controlled drugs.

"We still seek to address problems in relation to the supply of heroin in many parts of Bishop Auckland. Police investigations are always ongoing in respect to all drugs."

An inquest into Catherine's death was opened in May last year, but has yet to be concluded.