A ‘NOT very bright’ woman was exploited and forced to sell drugs in Darwen to pay off a debt, a court heard.

Ellie Bleasdale, 20, owed money after she developed a crack cocaine habit, Preston Crown Court was told.

Bleasdale, of Redbourne Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply.

Prosecuting Lisa Worsley said police executed a misuse of drugs act warrant in Francis Street on October 22.

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A police officer involved in the search noticed there was a plastic package with something in it that ‘had the appearance of drugs’.

She said: “The officer asked her what was in it and she said ‘white and brown’ and asked who it belonged to and she said ‘they are mine’.

“She was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.”

The court heard when asked if she had any needles on her she told officers at the time that she did not use drugs.

The court was told police found 29 wraps of crack cocaine and 29 wraps of heroin and she was in possession of £337.

Defending Kenneth Hind said she had started to use crack cocaine about three months before.

He said: “She found herself in a position where she could not meet requirements in terms of payment with dealers because she is not working and is dependent on family for income.”

Bleasdale was sent to Darwen to distribute drugs where she stayed for four days before the police arrived with a search warrant and arrested everybody in the house.

“She was the only person who spoke. From the first moment she pointed out the drugs on the table and accepted she was involved in the operation,” he said.

He said she was getting instructions from elsewhere and the dealer phone was actually in Liverpool.

“She was ideal from their point of view. A young lady with no previous convictions for drugs not known to Lancashire Police who would not raise suspicion - perfect to be exploited.”

He said she ‘deeply regrets’ what had happened.

“There’s clearly a thinking deficit. It is obvious she is not a very bright young lady and is easily exploited,” he said.

Judge Sara Dodd sentenced her to 20 months suspended for two years, 120 hours of unpaid work and a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement.