A former magis-trate's daughter collap-sed in the dock yester-day as she was jailed for possessing heroin.

Pippa Reynolds, 37, who denied having £5,000 of the drug with intent to supply, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court and sentenced to three years in prison.

After the seven-day trial Reynolds' mother Shirley Cullen, a former magistrate from Hove, said: "I am extremely disappointed and saddened. My daughter took the rap for others.

"Pippa has had a habit but there is no way she would deal in the drug.

"She is the kindest person, the first to help anyone."

Charged with Reynolds was Monica Langan, 49, who pleaded guilty to six counts of supplying heroin.

She was jailed for four years by Judge Charles Kemp, who described the dealing as a sophisticated operation by two exper-ienced heroin users.

The court heard how the Brighton police crime and drug unit kept Reynolds' home in Montpelier Road, Brighton, under surveillance in February last year, and witnessed Langan supplying the drug on numerous occasions.

Officers later searched Reynolds' ground-floor flat and found more than 100 grams of heroin with a street value of more than £5,000.

Mrs Cullen insisted her daughter knew nothing of the heroin. She said: "I am a just person and if I felt she had done something wrong I would say so.

"Others know the truth but they have not come forward. Pippa was innocent of the existence of this packet of heroin.

"I am, nevertheless, grateful to Judge Kemp for giving Pippa the statutory minimum sentence for these charges."

Reynolds, a well-known period costume maker, fell victim to burglars earlier this year.

Raiders ransacked her flat and stole £3,000 of cost-umes, some of which she made for her university degree.

Sgt Colin Jaques, who headed the drugs inquiry, said last year's raid effectively dried up a major source of heroin in the Brighton area.

He said he was satisfied with yesterday's verdict and added: "Heroin is an evil drug.

"Our operations against dealers will continue and we would urge anyone with information to come forward or call the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111."

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