The grand-daughter of former Drugs Tsar Keith Hellawell is behind bars for crack cocaine crimes.

Gabriella Attidore, of Huddersfield, was handed a three-year jail term by a judge in Kent after being caught trying to sell the drug.

Mr Hellawell is also former Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.

The sentences on Attidore and her partner, Cedric Makiadi, were welcomed by police.

Both were jailed in the same week that another drug dealer, Kevin Mamongo was also imprisoned for more than three years.

Sgt David Higham, of Kent Police, said: ‘This week alone the courts have now jailed three drug dealers who have tried to operate in our town, for a total of more than nine years.

‘These sentences are a clear indication of just how effective our officers are in identifying offenders, many of whom are travelling from other areas of the country, assuming we are a soft touch.

‘I’d like to reassure residents that we will continue to deal robustly with anyone who tries to deal in drugs and ensure that they get the punishment they deserve. There will be no let up.’

Crack cocaine bought in Brixton
Crack cocaine bought in Brixton

Makiadi and Attidore were attempting to supply the Class A substance from a car but were arrested after officers recognised known drug users walking from their vehicle.

Attidore, 23, of Caldercliffe Road, Berry Brow, was driving the black Vauxhall Corsa when it was stopped by officers in June.

Makiadi, 27, of London was a passenger and was carrying the drugs.When searched, 60 wraps of crack cocaine were found hidden in his underwear.

A snack tub was found in the car containing £226 in cash and analysis of text messages on Attidore’s mobile phone revealed further evidence of the pair’s involvement in the supply of drugs.

One message read: ‘wnts 2 d and a l’, a reference to dark (heroin) and light, (crack cocaine.)

During police interview Makiadi denied dealing drugs and claimed he had simply collected the wraps from ‘under a bush’ on behalf of someone else.

Attidore told police she had no involvement in the supply of drugs. She claimed Makiadi didn’t have his own phone and therefore used hers, adding she was unaware of the messages and calls to the phone relating to deals.

But when they appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, they pleaded guilty to supplying crack cocaine. Both were jailed for three years.