A DRUG dealing couple are today starting a combined prison term of more than eight years after selling heroin to undercover police officers.

A DRUG dealing couple are today starting a combined prison term of more than eight years after selling heroin to undercover police officers.

Christine Rich and Paul Andrews were snared under Operation Towpath, launched earlier this year to crackdown on the sale of hard drugs in Ipswich town centre.

They sold heroin to officers on a number of occasions between February 10 and June 2.

Andrews, of Burrell Road, Ipswich, admitted ten counts of supplying heroin and one of possession of heroin.

Because he was convicted of drug dealing in 1994 and 2004, the 50-year-old received a prescribed sentence of five years and seven months - the minimum term the court could hand down.

Rich, 27, of Elliot Street, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to four counts of being concerned in the supply of heroin and will serve a three-year term.

Ipswich Crown Court heard how she had struggled with her own drug dependency having been introduced to heroin by a former partner at a young age.

Andrews was also said to have been an intermittent heroin user for the past 20 years.

Judge Neil McKittrick said police had “quite rightly” set up a sting operation to deal with the supply of hard drugs in Ipswich.

He said: “It is a problem in Ipswich as it is in many town of a similar size. This is not a case of people coming from London - it's home-grown individuals who have acted to meet an apparent need or desire for hard drugs.”

Jailing Rich, the judge added: “You were quite prepared over a number of days to supply heroin in this town.

“I appreciate the addiction you have had but I also note that four years ago you were made the subject of a drug treatment and testing order, which was an opportunity to deal with your addiction.

“And In June last year, as part of a community order, you were required to perform drug rehabilitation. The courts have tried to assist you.

“It gives me no pleasure to send a woman of 27 with children to prison for dealing but you are still at an age to break this cycle.”

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