Four-year-old 'sold' drugs

A family used a four-year-old girl to sell drugs to undercover police officers, police have revealed.

The girl took cash through a grille at a house and passed out cannabis to undercover police, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Six people admitted supplying drugs to undercover police officers between 23 September and 14 October 1999.

Craig Woodier pleaded guilty to five charges of supplying heroin and three of supplying cannabis.

She toddled off and came back with the drugs

Detective Sergeant Charlie Bell

The 22-year-old also admitted possessing 3.5 grammes of heroin.

His barrister Yunus Valli said: "The majority of that was for personal use."

Woodier's girlfriend Donna Marie Horrigan admitted two charges of supplying heroin and three of supplying cannabis.

The 24-year-old denied possession of heroin with intent to supply and a further charge of supplying heroin.

Gerard Horrigan, 45, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and eight charges of supplying cannabis.

Granted bail

Christine Horrigan, 44, admitted one charge of supplying cannabis resin but denied another.

Darren Horrigan, 21, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of amphetamines and two charges of supplying cannabis resin.

Patrick Horrigan, 40, pleaded guilty to five charges of supplying amphetamine sulphate.

The prosecution offered no evidence in relation to all the not guilty pleas.

Gerrard Horrigan and Woodier were remanded in custody, the other four were granted bail.

But Judge David Bryant warned them: "All the sentences, including imprisonment, remain open in this case."

Money confiscated

Head of Cleveland Police's drugs squad Detective Sergeant Charlie Bell said that his officers were shocked to find the child directly involved in selling drugs.

"They have come across some things in their time but nothing quite like this," he said outside the court.

"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 and came back with the drugs."

Police confiscated £2,000 from the accused.