A SOUTHAMPTON man was caught in a sting operation when he supplied heroin to two undercover officers, a court heard.

Paul Deacon, described at the city crown court as a long-term heroin user, met the first officer, identified simply as John, in London Road.

Following a phone call, they went to a railway footbridge where they met a man walking a dog who gave them four wraps.

Similar scenarios twice followed with another officer, named only as Ivan, before Deacon was arrested several weeks later.

Deacon, 24, of Southampton Street, Southampton, admitted three offences of supplying heroin, which were committed while subject to a six-week suspended sentence for theft. He was jailed for 19 months.