A man and woman have been told they face jail after admitting roles in a major heroin supply plot.

Carlisle pair Stuart Hardy, 25, and Rachel Gent, 32, appeared at the city’s crown court.

Hardy pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to supply heroin to another between June 22 and August 9 last year.

Gent admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug on August 8.

No details about the crime were outlined during a short hearing in front of Recorder Philip Curran.

However, their involvement is said to have come to light after a Vauxhall Astra was stopped on the A66 on August 8. It was being driven from West Yorkshire to Cumbria. About 335g of heroin is said to have been seized. This was in a carrier bag stashed under a seat.

Recorder Curran adjourned the case, having concluded that the pair should be sentenced at a later date.

Hardy, of Scalegate Road, Carlisle, was remanded in custody.

He was told by Recorder Curran: “You will understand that the nature of this offence means it is likely that the outcome will be a sentence of imprisonment.”

Bail was granted to Gent, of Millholme Avenue, Currock, and the judge directed that a pre-sentence report should be prepared on her behalf.

But Recorder Curran warned her: “The fact that I have agreed to the request that there should be a report is no indication whatsoever as to the likely sentence.

“This case involves a substantial quantity of heroin.

“The likely sentence in your case will be one of custody. That is a matter for the sentencing judge to determine.”