City's major heroin dealer jailed

Brian and Linda O'Neil were jailed at Preston Crown Court.

The leader of a notorious drugs gang which flooded Carlisle with around £1m in illicit drugs has been jailed for twelve-and-a-half years.

Brian O'Neil, 49, from Percy Road in Longsowerby, sold heroin to every estate in the city, said police.

O'Neil and his wife, Linda, 46, were both found guilty of nine counts of conspiracy to supply heroin. Linda O'Neil was sentenced to five years.

Twelve other members of the gang were jailed for a combined 47 years.

All were found guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Ch Insp Paul Carter of Cumbria Police said: "The estates and the communities of Carlisle have had enough of these drug dealers.

"I'm delighted at the help we have received from our communities to get these people off the streets to where they belong, in prison."