A HEROIN addict who ran a drug-dealing den from his family home was jailed for seven years today. Fuat Bekir was told by a judge that it was the minimum sentence that could be imposed because of previous drugs convictions.

Mary-Ann Moore, who lived with Bekir in Beatty Avenue, Gillingham, and Kristian Taylor, of Charles Street, Chatham, were each jailed for three years. All had denied conspiracy to supply drugs but were convicted after a trial last month.

They were arrested after police kept watch on Bekir and Moore’s home and discovered it was being visited by other addicts. Secret bugs and CCTV cameras recorded the dealing.

Ian Acheson, prosecuting, said Bekir, 47, Taylor, 29, and Moore, 30, wanted to expand the trade to stop “dirty, horrible people” going to the house for heroin.

Tapes of conversations revealed discussions about buying drugs, using words such as brown, gear and scoring. No drugs were found when the house was raided.

Ian Acheson, prosecuting, said Bekir was jailed for nine years in 1982 for smuggling drugs, and for six years in 1992 for possession with intent to supply.

Moore had received a caution for cocaine possession in November last year and Taylor community service in 1994 for supplying drugs and a fine in 1997 for possessing drugs.

William Glossop, for Bekir, said there was great concern for the children. Bekir had been willing to plead guilty if it meant that Moore went free.

“He feels most responsible,” said Mr Glossop. “He would, if he could, serve the time which would otherwise be awarded to Mary-Ann Moore. Here is a family now riven asunder.”

Mr Glossop said both Bekir and Moore were heroin addicts but their children had always been properly looked after.

Efforts were made to isolate them from the drugs. Voices could be heard on the surveillance tapes saying: “Not in front of the children". They were now in the care of foster parents.

Mr Glossop said the three had not profited from dealing, while a man who was arrested and let go had a “flash” lifestyle.

“These are miserable, sad people endeavouring to keep their habit going by the degree of selling,” he said.

Alistair Walker, for Moore, said she permitted her home to be used to sell drugs.

“It was driven by her addiction to heroin as opposed to her financial greed,” he said.

“Her background is one of chronic addiction and real tragedy in this woman’s life. She became addicted to heroin as a child.”

Mr Walker said she was involved in a small-time conspiracy which was bound to fail.

“It may well be that a spell in prison will give her the support she needs,” he added.

Taylor was said to be “a simple foot soldier”, who has since stopped taking drugs and was now a supervising foreman in the construction industry.

Judge Michael Neligan said it was always a terrible thing that families were affected by such offending. But he added: “The time to think of the children was long before.”

The judge told Moore and Taylor that he took into account that prison would mean separation from their respective children.

“That is an inescapable consequence of being found guilty,” he said. “The distribution of class A drugs can only be met with substantial prison sentences.”