A DEALER and her ‘chauffeur’ who worked for a drugs gang which flooded the streets of East Lancashire with hard drugs have been warned they could be jailed.

Burnley Crown Court heard as well as driving his co-defendant Annette Marie Waldron around Accrington to sell heroin and crack cocaine, Gareth Ashley Nicholson was also advertising class A drugs for sale.

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker said when they seized Nicholson’s phone they found a number of text messages linked to drug dealing.

Mr Parker said: “The two of them are working together in the street supply of drugs for the Saj line.

“Nicholson contacts them saying ‘if you’re interested in a mobile worker give us a shout. I am happy to discuss’.”

Nicholson, 47, said at the time of the offending he was a drug user taking heroin and crack cocaine, he met Waldron in the summer of 2017, he drove her around on three occasions while she sold drugs and he was only ever paid in drugs.

Waldron said in September 2018 she was a drug user in debt, her mental health was deteriorating and in order to discharge that debt she was prevailed upon to assist Nicholson in dealing drugs.

Waldron, 47, of Mosley Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply between September 14 and 26, last year.

Nicholson, 41, of Chatsworth Close, Shaw, Oldham, pleased guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin between September 3 and 27, least year.

Defending Nicholson, Gerard Doran said both his client and Waldron had a number of issues which the probation service could help the court understand.

Judge Philip Parry said: “I will pass sentence on each of you on October 18 at Preston Crown Court.

"You will both be granted unconditional bail. I will order pre-sentence reports. Don’t read anything into the fact I am adjourning your case. All sentencing options are open.”