A HEROIN addict caught supplying drugs to police in an undercover investigation has been jailed for four years.

Martin Norwood believed he was helping out a fellow drug user. But it turned out to be a policeman and the transactions were taped, Preston Crown Court heard.

Norwood, 40, of Ford Street, Burnley, appeared for sentence, having pleaded guilty to three charges of drug supplying and one of offering to supply a drug.

He had previous convictions for drug offences, many of them possession, but also several for supplying a Class A drug.

John O'Shea, prosecuting, said the defendant's arrest arose through Operation Nimrod, where undercover officers tackled drug dealing on the streets of Burnley.

His offences took place in March this year. Initially, Norwood was approached by an undercover officer and a conversation followed.

He went on to supply the officer with a wrap of heroin for £10. The following day the officer returned to the Colne Road area. Norwood entered an address on that road and invited the police in. Another £10 deal took place.

Later that same month during further contact, the defendant said he would be able to get the officer a "stone," which was thought to be a reference to crack cocaine.

The last occasion involved Norwood handing over a foil wrap in return for £10. The defendant was in the process of injecting himself into the groin area with heroin when the deal took place.

Nick Kennedy, defending, said that on each occasion the officer had been actively seeking supply.

He added: "This is a classic case of someone, no more than an addict, helping someone else who was, on the face of it, a user and addict."