SEVEN men and two women have been sentenced to a total of 27 years in jail for their part in a heroin supply chain.

Undercover police bought drugs and carried out surveillance over several months, Teesside Crown Court was told.

They were led to John Thompson's home in Thirlmere Road, Ferryhill, County Durham, and found that 25 to 30 heroin addicts were visiting each day, sometimes going into a caravan in the garden.

Inquiries led to other addresses, where drugs were being dealt, and mobile phones were seized. Officers traced hundreds of calls made to them.

Thompson's lodger, Leslie Thompson, was also followed by undercover police officers as he went to meet a man in Middlesbrough.

Some of those involved in the network were associates of John Thompson and said they were given drugs to sell to feed their habits.

Jamie Hill, for John Thompson, said there was no evidence of any of the defendants enjoying high living from drug proceeds.

All admitted conspiracy to supply heroin.

Judge Peter Bowers jailed John Thompson, 39, for six-and-a-half years and his son, John Thompson Jnr, of Mansepool Close, Hartlepool, for 18 months.

Others jailed were Paul Foster, 27, of Faraday Street, Ferryhill -four years; Shane Gray, 40, of Durham Road, Chilton, County Durham -two-and- a-half years; Brian Lupton, 37, of Wellbury House Farm, Newton Aycliffe -18 months; Jamie Robert Thompson, 39, of Stephenson Street, Ferryhill -two-and-a-half years; Geraldine Wynn, 25, also of Stephenson Street -four-and-a-half years; and Jason Storey, 30, of Church Street, Crook, County Durham - four years.

Stacie Moran, 21, of Faraday Street, Ferryhill, received a two-year suspended sentence.

Leslie Thompson, 38, of Chaytor Terrace, Fishburn, County Durham, was not present and will be sentenced on Friday.