by Keith Hunt

Police officers followed a woman they suspected of using a mobile phone while driving - and discovered she was drug-dealing, a court heard.

Kellie Reed was caught with cocaine in the footwell of her Ford Ka and more of the drug in 125 packets was seized from her bag.

Now the 41-year-old addict has been jailed for two years and eight months for possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Reed, of Green Lane, Rochester, had been in an abusive relationship and her partner had left her with drug debts.

She claimed dealers persuaded her to pay off £10,000 they said was owed by dealing.

Alice Dobbie, prosecuting, said officers spotted Reed at traffic lights in Gillingham on December 16 last year.

She was pulled over after she swerved across the road. Her speech was slurred and she failed a breath test.

Officers then discovered a bag of white power in the footwell. Asked if she had any more drugs, Reed handed over the packets from her bag.

"you are clearly an intelligent woman. without drugs in your life you would never be before the court…” – judge philip st john-stevens

Miss Dobbie said the total weight was more than 70g - with a street value of just under £3,000.

Notebooks in the bag contained names and amounts next to them, as well as £970. Text messages on Reed’s mobile phone referred to drugs.

Gordon Carse, defending, said Reed was introduced to cocaine by her partner of five years. After he moved out, his drug debts were pursued by an "unsavoury character", he said.

"She was dealing in drugs for about a year because she felt threatened," said Mr Carse.

Reed, who admitted the offence, had damaged her nose with long and heavy cocaine addiction and needed an operation for a deviated septum.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens said drugs brought misery and those who dealt in them should expect prison sentences of some length.

"I accept there was a degree of pressure," he said. "The fact of the matter is you were content to supply drugs. You were using it to benefit and feed your own habit.

"You are clearly an intelligent woman. Without drugs in your life you would never be before the court."

Reed was banned for a year for drink-driving. The judge rejected an application by the prosecution for her car to be confiscated.