EVIL mother Donna Horrigan is facing jail after turning her three-year-old daughter into Britain's youngest ever drug dealer.

Angel-faced toddler Demi Horrigan should have been playing with her toys like any normal child.

Instead, undercover police were stunned when they found the youngster selling drugs during a covert operation.

Drug squad officers in Cleveland had set up surveillance on a terraced house in Parliament Road, Middlesbrough, after a tip-off it was being used as a drug den.

When detectives called at the heavily fortified address, cannabis was handed to them through an iron grille in the door by little Demi.

Her grandfather, bald-headed Gerard Horrigan, had been supplying heroin, cannabis and amphetamines to local users. Donna, 23, was recruited with other members of the family.

Demi was once in the back of her mother's car with her five-year-old sister when an undercover policewoman bought heroin from their mother.

Three generations of the same family, said to he "well known" in the area, were caught out by officers - known only as Rachel, Tony and Sharon - after a string of visits to the house between September 22 and December 1, 1999.

At the time, Detective Sergeant Charlie Bell said: "The officers were shocked and amazed when they got to the house and found someone so young.

"She must be the youngest person in the country ever discovered to be involved in the selling of drugs.

"There will be no action against her from our part, of course, because she is under ten."

The end terraced property had been turned into a mini "Fort Knox".

Det Sgt Bell said: "There were grilles on the front and back doors, and, when people went to buy drugs, the grilles were locked and they were given drugs through them.

"When the officers got to the house, they were met by the little girl.

"They told her what they wanted and she took their money. She toddled off to give it to her mum and came back with drugs.

"The officers were really shocked. The child was directly involved in the selling process."

Another source said: "Demi can roll a joint with the best of them. It's what she has been brought up with.

"It's surprising that the parents have been allowed to keep custody of her."

Drug Tsar Keith Hellawell - the former Chief Constable of Cleveland - said at the time of the drugs bust: "Drugs know no age limit."

Yesterday, Gerard Horrigan, 45, was remanded in custody by a judge at Teesside Crown Court and is facing jail after he admitted nine charges of supplying drugs.

His wife, Christine Horrigan, 44, of the same address, admitted one charge of supplying cannabis resin; Donna Horrigan of Dalcross Court, Hemlington, Teesside, admitted supplying heroin and cannabis; brother Darren Horrigan, 21, of Meath Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis and amphetamines; his uncle Patrick Horrigan, 40, of Outran Street, Middlesbrough, admitted the supply of amphetamine sulphate, and Craig Woodier, 22, Donna Horrigan's boyfriend and father of her children, of Leven Street, Middlesbrough, admitted supplying heroin. Woodier was also remanded in custody with Horrigan.

Releasing the other defendants on conditional bail, Judge David Bryant warned them they still faced custodial sentences for the serious offences.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports