A WOMAN who was introduced to drugs by her mother at the age of 12 has been given a suspended prison sentence after she admitted selling heroin to an undercover police officer.

Leonie Haynes, of Kings Way, Ipswich, was arrested last year as part of a police operation codenamed Muzzle, targeting people involved in the supply of class A drugs in the town.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting, said an undercover police officer posing as a drug user had gone to Christchurch Park after arranging a meeting by telephone.

Haynes and a man had met the officer and she had given him two wraps of heroin for £25.

Mr Sadd described Haynes as a “foot soldier” who had been sent out by people higher up in the chain to supply drugs and run the risk of being caught.

He said Haynes was given £5 for carrying out the deal.

Haynes, 26, admitted supplying class A drugs and was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and placed under supervision for 12 months.

Neil Saunders, for Haynes, said the fact his client had risked a prison sentence for £5 showed how desperate she had been.

He said she was not in good health and had been introduced to drugs at the age of 12 by her mother but was now free of heroin.