A drug-dealing couple who were selling heroin in Accrington after threats from their supplier, have been jailed.

Burnley Crown Court heard how chemical firm worker Peter Raith, 52, and his partner of 25 years, Jane Beardsworth, 44, fell into the grip of addiction trying to cope with the grief of their newborn baby being taken from them in 2005.

The infant had not been taken into care immediately, but when she was six weeks old and the couple had bonded with her.

She was later adopted and the traumatised defendants never saw her again.

The pair, both said to have had troubled lives with drink problems, had got into debt because of their drug habits, after having heroin laid on.

They were put under pressure firstly to sell heroin and then to up their sales.

The defendants were arrested after police raided their home in Malt Street, in October.

Raith, who has been out of trouble since 2003, and Beardsworth, said to be vulnerable and targeted by bullies, both admitted possessing 3.88 grams of heroin with intent to supply.

Raith was jailed for two years. His co-defendant for 20 months.

Sentencing them, Judge Robert Altham said of the loss of their child: “One can readily understand how this has had a profound effect upon both of you and that this has been the trigger, causing you to have the acute problems that have led you into the dock at this court.”

Daniel Prowse, for Raith, said he had had a difficult childhood.

His alcoholic father was violent to him and he ran away frequently.

The defendant had followed in his father’s footsteps into a drink problem.

Raith and Beardsworth had four children whom been taken into care and it was difficult for them to lose their family.

Defending Beardsworth, Kevin Preston said she went into a downward spiral of drink and drugs after the baby was taken away.