A MAN has been jailed for six years after admitting to injecting a 34-year-old woman with a dose of heroin which proved fatal.

Stephen Perrett, 39, and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty on Monday to the manslaughter of Claire Drury.

Officers were called to the YMCA on Vittoria Walk, Cheltenham at approximately 9pm on Thursday May 11 last year.

Perrett had bought and prepared the drugs which he then administered to Claire, but her health quickly deteriorated and paramedics were called.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services Claire was pronounced dead at the scene and Perrett was arrested shortly afterwards.

He was due to stand trial at Gloucester Crown Court but changed his plea today before it began.

Following the sentence, officers gave their reaction to the case and urged people to remember the risks and consequences drugs can have.

Chief Inspector Richard Pegler said: "This is a terribly sad case which highlights the very real risks of class A drug use.

"There are no winners here but I am pleased to have secured justice for Claire and my thoughts are with her family.

"This is a very unique case and such circumstances are complex. The quality of this investigation was excellent and to receive a guilty plea mean the family did not have to sit through the upset of a trial.

"We had a strong case which was fully supported by the Crown Prosecution Service and led by barrister Ray Tully.

"For those in our communities who are involved in class A drug use, you must understand the risks involved when injecting others and the potential consequences it has.

"Advice and support can be sought from 'Change, Grow, Live' which offers substance misuse support county wide."