Three men jailed after supplying undercover police officer with cocaine

They are all beginning three years behind bars and police have now welcomed their sentences by hoping “residents take some comfort from the fact they are now off the streets”.

Luke Arnell, Jordan Longworth and Lee Maiden were all jailed earlier this week at Durham Crown Court after they provided the officer – who posed as a cocaine user – with the class A drug on a number of occasions.

Durham Police say the deals took place at various locations around Peterlee such as a betting shop and the bus station.

Arnell, 33, of Quantock Place, Peterlee, Longworth, 26, of Scarfell Close, Peterlee, and Maiden, 24, of Sycamore Avenue, Blackhall, were arrested on October 23 last year and later admitted various charges relating to the supply of the class A drug.

Speaking after they were locked up by a judge, Inspector Emma Kay, from Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Drug dealing of any kind is a blight on our communities and we will not tolerate it.

“I am pleased that these three have been jailed and hope residents take some comfort from the fact that they are now off the streets and behind bars.”

The force have encouraged anyone with any information on potential drug dealing in their community to contact Durham Police on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555111.

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