Three teenagers have been sentenced for their part in using young children to deal Class A drugs for them in Gloucester.

Caden Stephens, aged 19 and of Boulmer Avenue, Kingsway, and two 17-year-old boys from Gloucester, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday (May 9).

The three had been convicted at an earlier hearing for numerous Class A drug supply offences including conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine relating to the exploitation of younger children.

The group had been using children to conduct the drug deals, while they controlled their actions through burner phones.

Police had arrested a 16-year-old boy in the city last summer, who they believed was being forced to deal drugs by the older teens.

A bag containing wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, money and two iPhones were found in a bag being carried by the younger teen.

Messages were found on the phones from the two 17-year-olds, controlling his movements and directing him to deal drugs for them.

The 16-year-old had been sent to the home of Stephens, where he was able to collect drugs, before being told where he needed to take them.

One of the 17-year-olds and Stephens were already on bail for drug supply offences after drugs had been found at the 17-year-old's address, while Stephens had been identified as being in possession of Class A drugs.

Following this new evidence, the 17-year-old and Stephens were subsequently re-arrested. Further drug phones, cash and drugs were located, along with scales with traces of powder and a lock knife at Stephens' home address, items which are often used in the supply of drugs.

The other 17-year-old, who was already on remand in a young offenders' institute for a separate offence, was also arrested and interviewed.

All three pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine regarding the evidence linked to the young children. Stephens and one 17-year-old also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs relating to the offences that they were on bail for.

In mitigation, the court heard that Stephens had made efforts while on remand to turn his life around.

HHJ Rupert Lowe, presiding, also took into account that one of the other two boys had experienced a chaotic life, including time in care, while the other had only been shown to be involved for a two-day period.

Stephens was jailed for 27 months, while one of the teens was sentenced to serve 27 months in a young offenders' institute. The other was sentenced to 20 months at a young offenders' institute, to run consecutively with a sentence which he is currently serving for an unrelated case.

All three must serve half of the time before being eligible for release on licence.

Due to the concerns around the exploitation of younger children by these individuals, police are now working to obtain Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders against all three.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Griffiths said: "Young people who are being exploited rarely want to openly speak to the police as this may place them at further risk.

"Gloucestershire Constabulary will look to manage any information sensitively to safeguard those at risk, and to catch and convict those directing others for criminal gains.

"If you are being exploited, or know or believe someone is being exploited, please know that your safety is the most important thing.

"Engage with an adult you trust and share information with the police, Crimestoppers or other partner agencies who can look to support and share information on your behalf."