A HEROIN addict who tried to stab a police officer with a pair of scissors as he raided a drugs den has gone to prison for three-and-a-half years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Warren Gibbin, 24, struck the officer with the point of the scissors, but he escaped injury because he was wearing a protective vest.

Sentencing Gibbin, who had been planning to peddle heroin, Judge David Pirie told him it was fortunate the officer was wearing the vest. He added that selling drugs led to others becoming addicted and to an increase in crime.

The judge went on: "Those who use such drugs can only usually pay for them by committing offences."

Gibbin, of Albert Street, Nelson, admitted assault with intent to resist arrest, possessing heroin with intent to supply and possessing the drug.

Nick Simmonds, prosecuting, told the court police raided an address at The Galleries, Victory Centre, Nelson, last October, after a tip-off heroin was being sold. The defendant ran into the kitchen and was followed by an officer who attempted to handcuff him. A struggle followed and as the policeman tried to reach for his CS gas spray, the defendant brought his arm forward and brought it down in a stabbing motion with the scissors.

Gibbin continued to put up a violent struggle, was handcuffed and taken to the police station. Two wraps of heroin and £80 cash were found on him.

Anthony Cross, defending, said Gibbin accepted he must go to prison. He did not admit the offences when first arrested, probably because at that stage his brain was still 'befuddled' by heroin.

The 'drugs den' was a place where heroin was not only sold, but smoked and Gibbin was earning his keep by helping in the sale of drugs.

Mr Cross went on: "One wonders how the defendant's life might have been different for him, when, having obtained an apprenticeship, he had not lost that after eight months by being made redundant."

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