A TEENAGE mother-of-two begged a judge not to be separated from her children after she became embroiled in a drugs ring.

Nikki Calladine, also known by the surname Quest, cried as she told Hove Crown Court she was in love with a drug dealer when she became an accomplice.

The 19-year-old, pictured, wearing boots and a black leather jacket, escaped an immediate jail sentence from Judge David Rennie yesterday after admitting she had helped to move thousands of pounds of drugs money out of Brighton to Liverpool through her bank account.

Calladine was one of four “vulnerable” women who all pleaded guilty to money laundering charges after a ten-month undercover police operation exposed a chain with the street name “Jish”.

They paid the money in at the Preston Circus Lloyds bank before it was withdrawn hundreds of miles away, the court was told.

Operation Woburn officers infiltrated the group, which dealt with up to half a million pounds of crack cocaine and heroin, the court heard.

Calladine is the girlfriend of Kirk Blake, another defendant thought to be the gang’s second in command. They have a three-month-old child and she has a child of three from a previous father.

Her flat in Thornsdale, Albion Hill, Brighton, was regularly visited by various members of the gang, the court heard.

Judge Rennie called her to the witness stand after considering a letter from the Brighton and Hove City Council children’s department, which said the damage of splitting her and the children up could be “irreparable” and another written plea from her grandparents.

Calladine said: “I thought I was in love. I obviously didn’t know him that well.

“My kids mean everything to me. They are my life. I will do anything to keep them. I will never do anything like this again.”

Judge Rennie said: “Unfortunately you are all disposable. They couldn’t care less.” He said the drugs trade was “filthy” and “vile.”

Calladine got a two-year suspended sentence, a three-month 10pm to 6am curfew and has to attend help sessions.

Lauren Healey, 28, and single parent mother-of-two Stephanie Blair, both of Liverpool, were given four-month suspended prison sentences and curfews.

Carly Williams, 19, also of Liverpool, was given a three-month suspended sentence and put on probation for a year.

The sentencing of the 15 defendants, who all pleaded guilty, continues today.