UNDERCOVER police officers involved in an investigation into the trade of heroin and cocaine in the centre of a North-East town were praised by a judge yesterday.

Judge Peter Fox QC jailed six of the nine people who appeared before him, and then said of the police officers: "The public owes them a real debt of gratitude. It is only thanks to their initiative, their watchfulness and their courage that this type of offending will be stamped out.

"They should know the courts will back them up with stiff and severe sentences when they have been successful in catching the serious offenders like Colin Jones."

Jones, 40, of Baker Street, Middlesbrough, had admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin. He and his partner, Dawn Dixon, 25, of Deepdale Avenue, Middlesbrough, were jailed for five years. She had admitted being concerned in the supply of the drugs, as well as possession of drugs with intent to supply and possession of cannabis and amphetamine,

Anthony Thompson, 28, of Portman Street, Middlesbrough, who admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine was jailed for four years. Peter Thompson, 19, of the same address, who admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin, was jailed for two and a half years.

Barrie Fernie, 29, of Albert Terrace, Middlesbrough, who admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin, and separately of possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply, was jailed for five years.

Laura Melville, 21, of Cottington Drive, Middlesbrough, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was jailed for 18 months.

Leanne Alton, 19, of Park Road North, and Kendra Dixon, 20, of Deepdale Avenue, both Middlesbrough, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin. Alton also admitted a similar charge involving cocaine and both were given probation orders.

Timothy Thompson, 24, of Portman Road, Middlesbrough, admitted possession of cocaine and was placed on probation