THREE drug dealers who were caught running a crack house by an undercover police sting have been sentenced to prison.

The two men and one woman from Middlesbrough were caught selling crack cocaine to undercover police and members of the public.

Robert Parsons, 37, of Norcliffe Street, was sentenced to three years and nine months. His brother Michael Parsons, 35, and Nicola Ellis, 30, both of Wicklow Street, were sentenced to five years and two years respectively.

Nicholas Barker, prosecuting, said three undercover police officers made test purchases of crack cocaine from the three defendants on several occasions.

Barristers acting for the three defendants said they were small-time dealers who did not make any money from selling the drugs.

Paul Newcombe, for Christopher Barker, said: "This was a man who did not try and set out to build a drugs empire, but simply was a crack addict who turned to the supply of crack to feed his own addiction."

Christopher Baker, for Ellis, said the mother-of-two had been coerced into the drug trade by her partner, Michael Parsons.

Judge Taylor said: "Crack cocaine has started to hit the streets of Teesside and it's got to be stopped."

A Cleveland police spokesman said he was pleased at the sentences.