A WOMAN who had been drug free for nearly 20 years relapsed into heroin abuse following the death of her mother.

Blackburn magistrates heard Victoria Bromley lost her accommodation as a result of the bereavement and her life had gone on a downward spiral.

Bromley, 45, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to stealing cosmetics from Next in Burnley.

She was given a conditional discharge for six months with £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Susheela Regala, prosecuting, said Bromley had entered the store at 4pm and was seen selecting various items of cosmetics. She was detained as she left without making any effort to pay.

Miss Regala said the defendant’s last conviction had been in 2006.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said prior to 2006 his client had been a regular drug user and had offended to fund the habit.

“She has been drug free for nearly 20 years,” said Mr Cassidy. “Her mother passed away and she lost her accommodation and she fully accepts she is now in the grips of a heroin addiction.”

He said since the offence in May his client had engaged on a voluntary basis with various agencies and was doing her best to get her life back on track.