A HEROIN addict volunteered to get drugs for a group of people in Worcester - unaware they were undercover police officers.

Father-of-one Mark Sinclair was jailed yesterday after being caught in the massive Operation Yeoman drugs sting.

Worcester Crown Court heard the 30-year-old warned the officers that police were in the St Paul's area on Tuesday, October 16, totally unaware they were undercover.

"He joined them and volunteered to get them some heroin," said Denis Desmond, prosecuting.

"He got them some heroin worth £25 in value and 54 per cent pure."

Sinclair, of Drake Avenue, Dines Green, Worcester, was not arrested for supplying heroin until Thursday, February 28, when Operation Yeoman struck. Sinclair committed the offence while on bail for burglary.

On Friday, July 27 he broke into a house in Wyld's Lane, Worcester, and stole £450 of electrical items, including a Sony Playstation and a hi-fi.

"He admitted burglary, saying he believed a friend was removing his own property from the premises," said Mr Desmond.

"But he abandoned that when he later appeared in court."

The court heard Sinclair had been using heroin for 10 years and had 70 previous convictions.

He was made subject to a drug treatment and testing order before these offences came to court.

He admitted burglary and supplying heroin.

"His first report says he's making good progress," said David Mason, defending. Since then he's not committed any offence, which is a good sign.

"He's stayed out of trouble but he's had one relapse.

"He went straight to his drug worker. He's more annoyed with himself and sorry he's let himself down.

"If he stays drug-free he hopefully stays offence-free."

Sinclair, who has been drug-free since February, was jailed for nine months for the burglary and nine months for supplying heroin. The terms are to be served concurrently.