Hartlepool addict arrested in undercover drugs operation spared jail to rid herself of habit

Paula Harman, 45, supplied a £20 wrap of the class A drug to the officer from a house in Dent Street during Operation Neapolitan on November 1 last year.

Cleveland Police launched the multi-agency operation in response to an increase in drug deaths in Hartlepool.

But Harman, who has been addicted to drugs for 15 years, was given a chance by a judge when she appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced.

She was arrested at the same time as Raymond Peacock, 53, who the court heard was the ‘prime mover’ in selling drugs from the house and was jailed for more than five years last week.

Court prosecutor Jonathan Harley said an undercover officer’s attention was drawn to the house and on October 31 last year bought £10 of heroin from Peacock.

Mr Harley said: “He reattended on the first of November and purchased a wrap of heroin for £20 and this time was served by the defendant Paula Harman.

"Miss Harman was present on three further occasions when UCO (undercover officer) bought heroin from Raymond Peacock.

"The Crown argue Miss Harman played a significant role. Both she and Mr Peacock were motivated by financial or other advantage, but it’s accepted she only took part in one actual deal.”

Harman, of Holdforth Close, Hartlepool pleaded guilty to one count of supplying a class A drug.

The court heard it was her first conviction for drug trafficking.

Judge Jonathan Carroll gave her a suspended prison sentence on condition she works to rid herself of her addiction.

Andrew Turton, defending, said: “She has already started to make progress accessing support networks.

"This is her best chance.”

Judge Carroll said Harman could not complain if he jailed her for four years for the offence.

But he said he could suspend it due to her plea, lack of drug supply offending and Peacock was the main dealer.

Judge Carroll said: “Everything I’ve read tells me you’re in a good place at the moment to try to sort this out.”

She was given two years suspended for two years with 12 months drug rehabilitation and 30 activity requirement days.

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