TWO men helped to supply an undercover police officer with heroin, believing he was a fellow addict, a court heard.

Jason Lee Storey, 26, and 22-year-old Stuart Cowell were both arrested as a result of Operation Britain, set up to counter the supply of heroin in the Bishop Auckland area of County Durham.

Storey supplied the undercover officer with heroin wraps twice in a three-day period last September, for £20 each, after being called to a house in Lusby Crescent, Bishop Auckland, Durham Crown Court was told.

He was yesterday jailed for three years after admitting two charges of supplying heroin to the officer, plus one offence of theft of spirits.

Storey, of Gordon Lane, Ramshaw, near Bishop Auckland, previously denied a further allegation, of being concerned in the supply of heroin, which the prosecution agreed to "leave on file".

Cowell was described as "a fall guy", believing he was helping a fellow addict, directed the officer, known only as "Keith", to a caravan and to a house in Bishop Auckland to buy heroin.

He admitted one charge of supplying heroin, on August 6 last year, and being concerned in the supply of the drug, between August 18 and October 22.

Cowell, of Green Lane Caravan Site, Bishop Auckland, was given a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was placed on probation supervision for 12 months.

Aisha Wadoudi, for Storey, said he has been abusing various substances since the age of 15.

The court was told Cowell hopes to overcome his addiction and is to start on a college course shortly