DRUG dealers recruited a vulnerable teenager to sell crack cocaine and heroin in Colchester as part of a major county line drugs operation, a court heard.

Ryan Thomas, 26, and Alison Kirby, 28, were running what was called the ‘Ace’ drugs line.

They arranged for a 15-year-old boy to be transported to various locations in Colchester so he could sell the Class A drug to addicts.

The teenager was reported missing from his London home in March and was found by police officers ten days later in Rosebery Avenue, Colchester, where he had cocaine wraps, heroin and £560 in cash.

Significant - Ryan Thomas played a greater role in the operation, the court was toldSignificant - Ryan Thomas played a greater role in the operation, the court was told (Image: Essex Police) Ipswich Crown Court heard on Thursday that officers analysed the boy's phone and traced Thomas and Kirby as recipients of messages sent from his device.

It led to police stopping a Ford Kuga on the A12 in April, when Thomas was travelling from Colchester to London.

He was arrested and a search of an address in Romford revealed drugs, cash and a smashed burner phone.

Police searched Kirby’s address in Chinook, Colchester, and found notes of customers’ names and phone numbers, as well as a set of scales hidden underneath a mattress.

Court - Judge David Wilson sentenced Ryan Thomas and Alison Kirby on ThursdayCourt - Judge David Wilson sentenced Ryan Thomas and Alison Kirby on Thursday (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) Kirby and Thomas both admitted being involved in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

Kirby, who is now eight months pregnant and appeared in court by video link from Peterborough Prison, admitted a third charge of arranging the travel of a child for drug-related activity.

Thomas, of Norman Crescent, Brentwood, appeared in court having been transported from Norwich Prison.

The court was told he played a more significant role in the drug line.

Stephanie Panchkowry, mitigating for Thomas, said the defendant had been involved in drug dealing since he was 14 when he was recruited by gangs.

Expecting - Alison Kirby is expected to give birth at the start of next month, the court heardExpecting - Alison Kirby is expected to give birth at the start of next month, the court heard (Image: Essex Police) Sasha Bailey, mitigating, said Kirby planned to restart her life in another part of the UK once she is released from custody so she can raise her child.

Judge David Wilson jailed Thomas for five years and eight months, saying: “The sentence I pass is marginally over the very minimum I can impose in this case.”

Kirby was jailed for two years.