by Keith Hunt

A mother addicted to Class A drugs for 21 years has been jailed for four years for dealing.

Justine Carter was facing a mandatory seven-year sentence because of her past drugs record but a judge decided it would be unjust.

Maidstone Crown Court heard 41-year-old Carter, who recently became a grandmother, had resorted to prostitution and stealing to fund her £50-a-day heroin addiction.

She had four previous convictions for supplying drugs when she was arrested with dealer Jamie Broadmore, who had been staying at her flat in Kingswear Gardens, Strood.

Jo Cope, prosecuting, said Carter had on March 23 been with Broadmore, 25, to London to collect heroin and crack cocaine for supply in Medway.

Police pounced as Broadmore drove a Renault Clio into the close where Carter lived.

Carter told officers: "Look, I'm scared. I'll tell you everything. He's made me take his parcel for him. He made me do it.

"I'm in trouble aren't I? He told me to hide them in my jeans. I didn't want to. You know what he's like. He's been using my place. I told him to leave. He wouldn't."

She took 9.72g of crack cocaine worth £550 on the street and 13.6g of heroin worth £750 from her trouser leg. Drugs equipment was seized from the flat.

Carter admitted two charges of possession with intent to supply.

Broadmore, of Castle Road, Chatham, previously admitted the same offences and was jailed for three years eight months.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens told Carter: "You must appreciate that people who supply drugs are involved in a trade that brings misery and destruction to lives and causes death.

"You have a significant record. The fact of the matter is you are well aware of the dangers of supplying drugs and the sentence if you become involved again."

With credit for guilty pleas, the seven-year sentence would be reduced to five years eight months.

But the judge said he had considered the role Carter played, the efforts made to rid herself of drugs and that she was a mother and grandmother.

"That drives me to the conclusion it would be unjust to leave the sentence at that point," he added.

He then reduced the sentence to four years. Eight months on remand will count towards the term.