A WOMAN jailed for her involvement in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs in Barrow was an addict from before she became a teenager.

A court heard how Vicky Arts had started using drugs as a child and became addicted at 12.

This week she was jailed for five and a half years for her role in conspiracy after she allowed her home to be used as a base for drug supply.

She admitted that she supplied class A drugs to users in Barrow alongside partner Andrew Millington.

The 36-year-old was seen dealing the drugs by police during a surveillance operation.

During a sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court, defence barrister Richard Bennett painted a picture of her long-standing issues with drugs.

He described a 'significant addiction to class A drugs'.

"She began using drugs a child and was addicted to them at the age of 12," he said.

"It would be fair to say she has misused most of the illicit drugs that are available today.

"That sort of behaviour leads to a lack of consequential thinking and poor judgement.

"Concomitant features of her drug misuse are anxiety and depression.

"She's now working with mental health services while in custody.

"She can remain abstinent from drugs.

"She now realises she has to do it and has considered what effect her behaviour has had on the wider community and herself and her family."

Mr Bennet told the court her time on remand in jail was the first occasion she had been 'genuinely motivated' get off drugs while in custody.

Preston Crown Court heard how Arts had acted as a dealer at the end of 'county line' run from Liverpool.

She was seen by police dealing drugs near her home in Keppel Street on January 8.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker said police later raided the house and arrested Arts and Millington , recovering around £1,500 in cash and at least £500 worth of crack cocaine and heroin.

A youth later found to have been the victim of modern slavery was also seen in the property.