THREE Newport drug dealers were jailed for a total of nine-and-a-half years yesterday.

Newport Crown Court heard the men conducted most of their dealing in an alleyway behind shops and near two schools in the city's Maesglas estate, arriving on push bikes and supplying drugs throughout the day.

A total of 70g of heroin was recovered with a street value of around £7,000 when the men were arrested last October.

Prosecutor Andrew Morse said the extent of their dealing before this is unknown.

Pierce Green, 23, of Maesglas Avenue, and Christopher Davison, 30, of Frome Walk, Bettws, were jailed for three years while James Tucker, representing Green, said: "He started for money to support his drug habit. They were young men earning money quickly but getting out of their depth."

Claire Pickthall said that Morgan had a drug problem and noted his "young age, he's only 20" while Richard Ace said of Davison: "If there was a hierarchy, he was at the lower end."

They all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply diamorphine.

Judge David Wynne Morgan said: "You let down yourselves, your communities and your families, who must be disgusted.

"It is a filthy trade that brings nothing but unpleasantness."

Louis Morgan, 20, of no fixed abode, was given a three-and- a-half year sentence because he had a previous drug conviction.

The court heard that police placed the alleyway under video surveillance between October 4 and 25 and captured Green and Morgan either together or individually arriving on foot or bikes and dealing, sometimes as the other played lookout.

On October 24, the men supplied drugs in the lane on four occasions - and on the final time, Green arrived in a Vauxhall Corsa and passed heroin through the window to Davison, Mr Morse said.

The three were then arrested - Green tried to escape in his car and reversed 200 metres before being apprehended.

Morgan was chased by police, while Davison was stopped a short distance from the alleyway.

He had a Kinder egg that contained three wraps containing 3.12g, 1.11g and 269mg of heroin.

Morgan tried to throw away clingfilm packs containing 6.15g of heroin while Green had 0.5g in his boxer shorts

Police found a further 3.12g at the home of Green, taking the total amount to 69.21 grams. Cash totalling £2080 was also found in Morgan's home.

DC Dave Laing said: We will continue to target those who deal misery and poison in Gwent."

He added: "Dealing not only harms individuals, it also harms our communities."

"The Individuals sentenced today can reflect on this and their criminality in prison."