SUSPECTED street level drug dealers were the subject of several “visits” by the police over the space of a few weeks last year, a court heard.

Searches of properties occupied and visited by defendant Dean Terence Peacock and his girlfriend, Christina Drewett, in Horden, County Durham, led to the recovery of drugs, drugs paraphernalia and phones from which text messaging indicating dealing activity were revealed.

Durham Crown Court was told that from the first raid, at the house in Sixth Street occupied by Peacock and Drewett at the time, on January 17, 10g of amphetamines, worth about £100 in street sale terms, and a small amount of cannabis, for personal consumption, were seized, along with £415 in cash.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said a week later, Peacock’s co-accused, Debra Atherton, was stopped approaching the address in Sixth Street and searched.

It uncovered a small bag containing 26.5g of heroin, worth between £600 and £1,325, depending if sold in small deals or bulk.

Mr Cleasby said as it was relatively high purity it indicated it was higher up the supply chain, possibly to be further reduced before sale.

Police also found Atherton in possession of a syringe containing amphetamine sulphate and keys to both addresses in Sixth and Eleventh streets, linked to Christina Drewett.

A search of the address in Sixth Street later that day led to the recovery of cling film, digital scales and foil wraps, all commonly used in drug supply.

Police went back to Sixth Street and found both Peacock and Drewett in a bedroom apparently worse the wear for drugs, with a tin foil and lighter nearby.

Mr Cleasby said a large quantity of used needles found in the property implied that it was used as a, “communal drug-taking area”.

A further visit led to recovery of more amphetamine sulphate and heroin, some retrieved from the hood of a cuddly toy and a children’s chocolate egg, plus other paraphernalia of dealing.

Analysis of the phone messaging implied drug supply, which led to the conclusion that Drewett and Peacock were involved in dealing, while Atherton was used for deliveries.

Peacock, 26, now of Seventh Street, and 29-year-old Drewett, now of Aline Street, Seaham, admitted conspiring to supply class A and B drugs, at a hearing earlier this year.

Atherton, 48, of Ninth Street, Horden, admitted a single count of conspiracy to supply.

The hearing was told Drewett was not before the court as she has subsequently broken legs jumping from a window trying to evade police, and will be sentenced at a later date.

Penny Bottomley, for Peacock, said he was mainly acting at Drewett’s behest, receiving some drugs “on tick” and others free for assisting.

Scott Smith, for Atherton, said she performed a limited role, as directed by others.

Judge Simon Hickey said all were involved to a greater or lesser extent in street dealing of the drugs in the Horden area.

He jailed Peacock for three years and four months and Atherton for 18 months.

A forfeiture order was made on £80 recovered from Peacock.