Cruel drug barons sent a 14-year-old schoolboy to Carlisle - to deal crack cocaine and heroin on the city's streets.

The city's crown court has heard shocking evidence of how the youngster was cynically recruited by criminals intent on using him, as they targeted Carlisle for their lucrative operation to peddle Class A drugs.

The case is the latest proof of how Merseyside drugs criminals have been exporting their illicit trade to the streets of Cumbria.

The court heard that the teenager's duties included bringing the class A drugs to the city, selling them to users on the streets, and collecting the cash generated for those higher up the drug dealing chain.

One witness saw the boy clambering into a taxi with two women, before peeling money from a large wad of cash consisting mainly of £50 notes.

In an earlier court appearance, the boy, now 15, admitted conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

"It may well have been his age and appearance were the characteristics which, sadly, attracted those controlling him to employ such a young man," said prosecutor Dan Travers as he opened the case.

The barrister described how the offences came to light on March 30, when police were asked to investigate a loud house party in Lake View Avenue, Harraby.

When police arrived, they found party goers who were quite obviously under the influence of drugs - including the teenage defendant, said Mr Travers.

One woman at the party posed as the boy's aunt.

“Efforts were made to deceive the officer,” said Mr Travers. The officer was told that an ex-girlfriend of the boy's uncle was at the party to collect him.

A short time later, 28-year-old Sara Wilkie and her friend Kylie Richardson, 27, took the teenager away in a taxi.

“The boy was the one noted to be paying for the taxi, “said the barrister.

“He was noted to be paying for the taxi from a large quantity of cash, comprising largely of £50 notes.” The taxi took the three to Holme Terrace, Denton Holme.

Later the same day, police spotted the boy riding his bike along a nearby tow path, where he was seen talking to known drug users.

The teenager was found to be carrying 17 wraps of crack cocaine and 12 raps of heroin. The drugs had a street value of £500.

More drugs were found at Holme Terrace.

The teenager's criminal record included a public order offence, a common assault and carrying a bladed article in a public place, but no previous drugs offences.

Defence barrister Desmond Lennon, for the teenager, said he was offered money to get involved by more sophisticated criminals.

"Everybody can see that more sinister guiding hands were at work," said the barrister.

He said the boy had faced significant issues in his young life and he had expressed genuine remorse for offending.

Judge Peter Hughes Hughes QC imposed a six month detention and training order, urging the local authority responsible for his welfare to work constructively with him to prevent his return to criminality.

But the judge conceded with sadness that there was a strong likelihood that the boy would return to a life of crime.

The judge then told the boy: "It is absolutely appalling that someone as young as you could possibly be playing such a key role in the movement and distribution of class A drugs from Liverpool to Carlisle.

"Those who have influenced you and controlled you ought to hang their heads in shame.

"They deserve to be brought to justice and they deserve to go to prison for a long time.

"They shelter behind the fear that you and others who are brought into this disgusting trade have: that you are too afraid to name and shame them.

"They rely on that to do their dirty work.

"The people of Carlisle will be absolutely appalled to read in their papers that someone as young as you has been bringing drugs into Carlisle, collecting money, and been the local end of the operation."

Had the boy been a few years older, or fully adult, said the judge, he would have faced a lengthy jail sentence.

Earlier this week, Wilkie, of Montreal Street, Currock, and Richardson, of Holme Terrace, were given suspended jail sentences.

They both admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.