When police set up a drugs awareness caravan, one local resident was particularly upset.

For it was only yards from Paul Roth's crack cocaine den.

Police suspected Roth was dealing in drugs after raids on his previous address on Teesside.

They positioned the caravan near his new house hoping to drive addicts away - but were unprepared for Roth's indignant reaction.

The incensed dealer stormed over to the two officers manning the caravan and protested that they were ruining his livelihood.

Detective Constable Andy Parker of the squad said later: "Paul Roth came out to our caravan that night and he said 'Look I'm shutting up shop, I'm moving'.

"He's not the brightest of blokes, and our caravan obviously annoyed them."

Yesterday, the couple appeared at Teesside Crown Court, which heard that Roth, 29, and his wife Julie, 34, manufactured crack cocaine - the most addictive and dangerous form of coke - using their cooker.

Mike Smith, prosecuting, said that when the couple's first crack house was raided, detectives recovered substantial quantities of cocaine and some heroin.

When he was searched, Roth had £1,640 in cash and a set of electronic scales. They were arrested, but later bailed.

Police raided the house again a month later, and found more crack. The couple were once more released on bail.

On February 13 last year, the police stationed their caravan outside the couple's new address in Lanchester Road, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, from 9.30am until 10pm.

The Roths moved again within days to Grange Close, a five-minute walk away.

Police raided their latest home on February 20. The couple were in the bedroom with a Samurai sword on the bed, £2,910 in cash and downstairs a pan of water was boiling as part of the process for making crack.

This time police got the drugs analysed immediately and the couple were remanded in custody.

Jeffrey Hunter, defending, said that Paul Roth had been shot twice because of drug debt. He set up his own operation so that he could pay them off.

Ray Priest, for his wife, said that she was carried along in the dealing, but she was unlikely to offend again. She was jailed for three years and nine months.

Both pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply, and Paul Roth also admitted conspiracy to supply it and possession of heroin. He was sentenced to seven years.