A 45-YEAR-OLD man with mental health issues fell foul of an undercover police operation targeting heroin dealers in Accrington.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ian John McDonald was ‘befriended’ by the officer who was known as ‘Barnsey’.

And he made no profit out of buying a £10 deal of heroin and handing it over to the officer.

McDonald, of Milton Close, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to supplying heroin.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Peter King, defending, said his client was schizophrenic with psychotic episodes and was under the care of the community mental health team.

“It is important to emphasise there was no financial gain to my client,” said Mr King. “The undercover police officer gave him £10, he obtained the drugs from a dealer and handed over the same £10 note and passed the drugs to the officer.”

Mr King said Barnsey had met his client and befriended him. He pretended he was a user and McDonald gave him the telephone number of his own supplier.

“He thought this man had just moved into the area and needed help,” said Mr King.