THE former partner of a murdered Wallasey drugs dealer was jailed today, Monday, for 16 months  for acting as his courier.

A judge told Claire Pullin that the sentence would have been longer but for her assistance in the trial of her partner's killer and associates.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, also told 38-year-old Pullin, who repeatedly wiped away tears in the dock, that he also took into consideration the impact of the loss of her partner, Mark Reissing.

Nazzareno Abela was jailed for life in January after being convicted of his murder and drug dealer, Christopher Halpin received 19 years for being concerned in supplying Class A drugs and assisting Abela, 47, of Springfield Road, Wallasey , by helping him flee police.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Mr Reissing had been a street drugs dealer in Wallasey working for Liverpool based dealers.

"The defendant was his girlfriend and as part of the investigation into his death was arrested and interviewed and made a number of admissions," said Simon Duncan, prosecuting.

Two witnesses also told of drugs transactions involving Pullin. "She was a courier for Mark Reissing for drugs and money," he said.

She admitted delivering £10 deals of heron and cocaine for him and sometimes they shared a free bag of drugs he would get in payment.

Paul Wood, defending, said that Halpin, who has previous convictions, was realistic and knew she as going to prison.

Her evidence in the murder trial had been "very significant". She had picked out Halpin, 30, of Roscommon Street, Everton, and viewed him as responsible for her boyfriend's death.

They had been in a relationship for 18 months and was devastated by what had happened as she loved him, said Mr Wood.

Pullin, of Upper Rice Lane, Wallasey, pleaded guilty to two charges of being concerned in supplying Class A drugs.

Judge Goldstone told Pullin had been working "as second fiddle" to Mark Reissing for six months dealing in drugs in Wallasey.

He said that Halpin had been her partner's drugs boss and she blamed him for his death in some way. "You decided in those circumstances that you were going to put your own safety at risk to give evidence which could be used against Christopher Halpin."