THE leader of a heroin plot that was foiled by police in Scarborough has been jailed for nearly a decade.

Reece Reynolds, 21, from Larkhill Walk, Gledhow in Leeds, was part of a so-called "county lines" gang - a group of criminals who exploit vulnerable people to sell drugs.

Reynolds appeared at York Crown Court on Friday along with accomplices Jordan Page, 20, from Broom View, Belle Isle, Leeds, and Jaqueline Hawkins, 50, of West Avenue, Filey.

The court heard how police caught Page and Hawkins with 39 wraps of cocaine and 30 wraps of heroin in April after pulling over their car as they drove to Scarborough from Hawkins' home in Filey.

Reynolds was then arrested at Hawkins' home after he was found with more than £1,000 cash and a mobile phone, believed to be used to deal drugs.

Reynolds was found guilty, following a trial, of possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, while Page and Hawkins pleaded guilty to the same offence at earlier hearings.

The court heard that Reynolds led the operation while Page and Hawkins' went out into Scarborough with the intention of dealing drugs on his behalf.

Reynolds was jailed for nine and a half years. Page was sent to prison for three and a half years and Hawkins was jailed for two years and three months.

Detective Constable Darrel Temple, who led the investigation at Scarborough Serious Crime Team, said: “The sentences handed down to Reynolds, Page and Hawkins show that individuals caught in North Yorkshire dealing class A drugs will face severe consequences for their actions.

“So-called ‘county lines’ drug dealing is an issue which continues to have a negative impact on individuals and communities in Scarborough and North Yorkshire Police will actively target the people at the source of this problem."