TWO tenants living in a crack house, which was used as a shop to supply cocaine and heroin, have been sentenced.

Tenants Katie Pottage, aged 43, and partner Lee Paget, aged 37, both of Northway, have escaped an immediate prison term after their previous home - 3 Millbrook Court, McKee Avenue - was raided and found to be a drugs den.

Both were charged with allowing the premises to be used to supply cocaine and heroin.

Warrington Guardian:

Pictured: Lee Paget

The court heard how on November 13, Cheshire Police became one of the first police forces in the UK to use new powers, which were introduced in October, to issue a closure order at the two bedroom flat.

The new powers enabled officers to issue a three month closure order at the property in Longford following a hearing at Warrington Magistrates Court.

The order was requested by officers from the Warrington Central Neighbourhood Policing Unit following a raid at the property on November 10 where a large quantity of suspected class A drugs were seized.

The raid was carried out after problems had been reported by neighbours since April including drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and youths coming to the house on bikes.

Warrington Guardian:

Pictured: Katie Pottage

Inspector Neil Drum said: “The use of this new legislation demonstrates our commitment to tackle those causing harm to the community through crime and Anti-Social Behaviour.

“The warrant at this address was conducted as part of Operation ImpACT and it reinforces the commitment that the police and partner agencies have in targeting those people that undermine our communities and bring misery to residents through their involvement in organised crime and illegal drugs.”

Paget was handed a 10 months sentence which was suspended for two years, a supervision order for 18 months, 100 hours unpaid work and an 18 month drug rehabilitation course at Chester Crown Court on Monday.

Pottage was handed the same sentence but was not ordered to carry out the unpaid work.

Inspector Drum added: “We continue to tackle drug offences in the community and during the past month have conducted six search warrants which have led to arrests and the seizure of drugs."

The sentencing of Pottage and Paget follows an earlier sentencing of 29-year-old Thomas Edmunds, from Anfield, in December, who was handed five years in prison.

Edmunds, who was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs, had been using the flat in Longford to deal drugs.