A DRUG dealer who sold heroin to an undercover police officer was told yesterday that he may be facing a prison sentence.

Christopher James Earle appeared before Harrogate magistrates and pleaded guilty to supplying a £10 wrap of heroin to a detective, who was referred to in court only as Gary to protect his identity.

Mark Haigh, prosecuting, said Earle, 30, of King's Road, Harrogate, was arrested as part of a major police investigation into the supply of heroin and crack cocaine in and around Harrogate.

A specially trained police team had gone undercover and in February one of them had approached Earle in Knaresborough and asked him for help in finding someone who could supply him with heroin, to which he replied: "It's all right, I will score for you."

Earle made a telephone call which brought a second man to the scene, in an alleyway between Park Road and Park Place.

The officer watched as Earle was handed a foil wrap, and then sold it to him for £10.

When police arrested Earle he told them he had had a drug problem for six years. His record showed 29 previous convictions for 48 offences, but Mr Haigh said only two were concerned with drugs.

David Camidge, mitigating, said Earle had drug problems, but kicked his habit earlier this year after seeking counselling.

Court chairman Janet Frankland told Earle the court's sentencing powers - a maximum of six months behind bars - were not considered sufficient.

She bailed Earle to appear for sentence at York Crown Court.