A heroin dealer who earned more than ?1,000 a week has been told her twelve-year jail sentence isn’t too harsh.

Diane Julie Watterson sold drugs in Hutchinson Square, Woodbourne Square and Derby Square, Douglas earning more than ?80,000 in less than two years.

Earlier this year she was given the prison term for producing, possessing and supplying heroin.

But at the appeal, her advocate said the sentence was unduly long because Watterson was spending the proceeds on her own addiction rather than accumulating a fortune.

Jason Roberts reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

Deemster Kerruish and Appeal Judge Tattershall said the 41 year old was a sophisticated and organised drug dealer who smuggled the heroin from Liverpool for sale on Manx streets.

She was said to have sold more than two kilograms of heroin for more than ?190,000 and had a previous conviction for possessing class A drugs.

Watterson had cooperated with police about her own involvement but had refused to name her supplier.

In the circumstances, Deemster Kerruish and Appeal Judge Tattershall said the sentence was severe but was not excessive.

They dismissed her appeal.

(Picture: Douglas Courthouse).