Two addicts who sub-let a Carlisle flat to class A drug dealers have been sent to prison.

Lana McVay, 31, and 54-year-old Kevin Troughear were each jailed for 22 months at the city’s crown court.

Both had admitted permitting premises to be used for the supply of heroin and crack cocaine between August 18 and 23.

Prosecutor Kim Whittlestone said McVay and Troughear had been living at a flat in Garden Street.

McVay also rented the next door property – an unoccupied “shell” which was sub-let for £60-a-day to Liverpool-based dealers who set up camp there.

The crime came to light when McVay contacted police on August 22.

“She indicated she had been threatened by a Scouser with a knife,” said Miss Whittlestone.

Police attended and recovered 167g of heroin and 22g of crack cocaine from the flat.

McVay admitted involvement on the basis she was not a direct participant in the sub-letting, and went to stay with a friend during the period.

Colette Renton, defending, said the the mum-of-three was keen to make a fresh start when released from custody.

“She wishes she had never been involved, and if she could go back this wouldn’t have happened,” said Miss Renton.

“She is a person who has struggled with addiction to both alcohol and heroin.”

Troughear, of no fixed address, had 72 offences on a record dating back to 1975.

He had suffered arm and leg injuries during a failed recent suicide attempt.

Passing sentence, Judge James Adkin noted the quantity of heroin seized. “If 167g were cut down to be sold in 0-1g deals,” said the judge, “it doesn’t take much mathematical genius to realise that many, many wraps would go on to the streets of Carlisle as a result of that drug dealing.”