A MAN has been jailed after he admitted helping to provide heroin for an addict who died from a drugs cocktail.

Michael Redhead, 22, telephoned a drug dealer and arranged for addict David Marks to pick up a £20 fix of heroin.

When Redhead returned to the Salvation Army Hostel, at Darlington, where they were staying last Christmas Day, he found Mr Marks, 30, collapsed.

Redhead, of Tudhoe Moor Estate, Spennymoor, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court yesterday, to being concerned in the supply of heroin to Mr Marks, on whom a coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

Redhead also admitted a house burglary in Yarm to buy drugs. He was jailed for three and a half years.

Jamie Hill, defending, said: "Mr Marks had a long history of drug abuse, and Redhead came under pressure from him to obtain heroin."

Judge Michael Taylor told Redhead: "It must have been obvious to you that Marks was desperate for heroin, and you know now, if you did not then, how dangerous it can be."