A tragic teenage girl became hooked on heroin after she was injected with the drug by an addict, a court heard.

Because of the “dirty” needles Peter Jarosinec used to administer the drug the 15-year-old contracted Hepatitis C.

She also had an abortion after Jarosinec’s friend Belo Laczko had under-age sex with her, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

Jarosinec, 27 and Laczko, 23, were each jailed for six years and fellow Slovakian Alex Kroka, 21, all from Gravesend, for two years when they appeared for sentence on Friday.

Jarosinec, of Spencer Street, admitted three offences of administering a noxious substance with intent to endanger life and permitting premises to be used for supplying class A drugs.

Laczko, of Truro Road, admitted three offences of sexual activity with a child, causing her to watch pornography and perverting the course of justice.

Kroka, of Perry Street, admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Prosecutor Sarah Ellis said the girl came to the UK when she was young and lived with her mother until she was eventually removed from her home.

Laczko, known as Victor, started a relationship with her and his cousin Kroka introduced her to heroin and encouraged her to take it. Jarosinec injected her with the drug after Kroka took her to his home.

Miss Ellis said Laczko and Kroka met the girl by the clock tower in the town centre in 2014 shortly before her 15th birthday.

She was seen by the local drug service when she had been using heroin for about a month. She was prescribed methadone and was repeatedly sick because of her addiction.

As well as contracting Hepatitis C, she also had a sexually transmitted disease. She was 16 weeks pregnant and decided to have a termination.

Miss Ellis said Kroka asked the girl if she wanted to try heroin, telling her she should not be scared and would not become addicted to it.

She met Jarosinec at his home and he injected her with the drug in his bedroom. She could not say how often she was given heroin but said it was sometimes on a daily basis.

“She spoke of repeatedly running away from home because of her need to obtain drugs,” said Miss Ellis. “She became unwell. She wanted to stop taking it but didn’t know how to.

“She didn’t ask anyone in case she got into trouble. She said the needles were not always clean. They were old and had been used. On occasions they were bloodied.”

When Jarosinec was arrested last year drug equipment was found at his home. Also there were four young children, aged 15, 14 and twins aged 13, he was caring for.

Miss Ellis said Laczko contacted her on Facebook and tried to get her to drop the case. He asked her why she went to the police.

“You got me into trouble,” he said. “I am going to go to prison for five or six years.”