An undercover police operation to capture drug dealers in Hatfield has led to the convictions of two more women. Margaret Josiah and Davinah Etienne were sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to the supply of class A drugs.

An undercover police operation to capture drug dealers in Hatfield has led to the convictions of two more women.

Margaret Josiah and Davinah Etienne were sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to the supply of class A drugs.

The court heard they were "runners" - acting as go-betweens for drug dealers and their customers, in return for getting class A drugs themselves.

They were caught by undercover police officers in June 2007 after the police officers rang a number for class A drugs and were told to meet the women, on separate occasions, in Hatfield town centre.

On two occasions, Etienne, 24, of Westfield, Welwyn Garden City, met them to sell them crack cocaine while on another Josiah, 22 of Millwards, Hatfield, met them.

Josiah, who had previous convictions for theft, battery and criminal damage, said she had helped the drug dealers to feed her own habit. She also fell to be sentenced for possession of class A drugs as she was found with heroin on her when she was on bail.

Defending, Carl Wolfe said Etienne and Josiah were only involved to feed their own habit and had no commercial gain from the sales.

Etienne had tested clean in recent weeks after booking herself onto a rehab programme and was keen to turn her life around by enrolling on a course at Oaklands College. Josiah was keen to try to overcome her addiction, the court was told.

Sentencing, Judge Stephen Warner said he accepted both had been involved at a low level and he would be prepared to give them community orders even though the crimes crossed the custody threshold.

However, he warned them if they failed to take the chance he was giving them and re-offended, they would be sent to jail.

He gave Etienne a community order with 18 months supervision and a programme requirement.

Josiah was sentenced to a community order with 18 months supervision and a drug rehabilitation programme for 18 months.

He also ordered the forfeit and destruction of the drugs sold to officers.