Addict Samantha Jane Wragg (34), of Wood Street, who has been dependent on hard drugs since she was just 11, was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison at Nottingham Crown Court in April.

In a previous hearing, she had admitted possession and supply of hard drugs to an undercover police officer who had been involved in an operation targeting dealers in the town.

On Thursday, her lawyers appealed to top judges for a reduction in her sentence to reflect her tragic background and lack of previous dealing convictions, but had their case rejected at the Court of Appeal in London.

Wragg supplied the Class A drugs to the officer in August of last year after being befriended in the street and later meeting at a bus station.

She was charged and released on bail in December, but continued to offend and was found with crack cocaine worth almost £300 at her home in February of this year.

Other items, including a chopping board, a work knife contaminated with drugs and lists of customers were also found at the address.

Sentencing her, the Crown Court judge noted how her physical appearance and mental well-being had been damaged due to her extremely long-term addiction.

Her barrister, Justin Wigoder, argued that her past and the scale of the dealing justified a lesser sentence than that which she received.

Dismissing the appeal, Mr Justice Simon, sitting with Sir Anthony May and Mr Justice Blake, said, although her offending was initially 'small-scale' and committed by an addict, it had later taken on a different character.

"In our view, the February offences were of a different quality - she had now become a drug retailer," he said.

"We bear in mind her explanation of how this came about. However, the fact she was under pressure to deal does not excuse this dealing.

"Viewed overall, and as a matter of totality, we see nothing to criticise in this sentence."