AN undercover police officer played the role of a heroin addict to catch a New Forest hard drugs supplier.

The detective, only identified as Jay, convinced Jason Pollitt he was suffering from heroin withdrawal and urgently needed a fix.

He had been taking part in a special operation codenamed Mercury designed to stamp out drug-related crime in the area.

Last December he met a middle man in New Milton who phoned Pollitt. However, the officer quickly realised he could see him talking by a window at a nearby house and after being escorted there, Pollitt came downstairs and handed over heroin in exchange for £20.

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Southampton Crown Court heard that was the start of a series of transactions in which the officer was supplied with heroin and crack cocaine over a four-month period.

Pollitt, 29, of Drake Close, New Milton, admitted 16 charges of supplying drugs or being concerned in supply and was jailed for four years.

Judge Gary Burrell QC told him: “It is obvious that although you might not have had your own significant stock, you had ready access to them. Your offending was persistent and sustained.”

Ryan Seneviratne, defending, said Pollitt – who had a previous conviction for possessing heroin – had been a drug user since 18. After being told Jay was having heroin withdrawal, he did not want him to suffer as he had done in the past.

n Pollitt was followed into the dock by Paul Smedley, who was also arrested supplying undercover officers in the same operation.

Smedley, 30, of Blackthorn Way, New Milton, admitted eight similar charges. Said to have 13 previous drugs convictions, he was jailed for five years and seven months.

Lawrence Aiolfi, defending, said Smedley was just 11 when he began using cannabis and solvents and moved on to heroin when 15. He was now undergoing a detox programme. The judge told him he was “a relatively persistent dealer.”