A WOMAN who allowed her home to be used for drug dealing has walked free from court.

Burnley Crown Court heard how devoted Christine Gilchrist, 52, had borrowed cash from people who lived in her area to pay for a holiday for her dying husband.

Her house was then taken over and used to peddle cannabis.

Gilchrist, who nursed her husband for six years and was recently widowed, wept in the dock as Judge Raymond Bennett said it would be "inhuman," to send her to jail -- and he hoped the public would understand his decision.

The judge said any right-minded person hearing the case would think Gilchrist had been under the thumb of others at a time when she had been distressed and caring for her husband.

He added Gilchrist had been devastated by her husband's illness and death and, because she lived on her own in the area she did, needed help.

Judge Bennett gave the defendant a six-month one day prison sentence, suspended for a year, with a 12-month supervision order. Gilchrist, of Kent Street, Burnley, admitted allowing premises to be used for the supply of cannabis, between October 2001 and January 2002.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said police went to the defendant's home with a search warrant. She was there and so was a man named Peter Meeks.

Officers found more than 750 grammes of cannabis. Electric scales, cash and plastic bags were also recovered.

Gilchrist was arrested, admitted she knew drugs were being sold from the house and said it was all down to Meeks.

Meeks' fingerprints were found on a number of the bags. The defendant said she had not touched any of the bags and none of her prints were found. Gilchrist, who said the dealing had been going on for months, had no previous convictions.

Tim Storrie, defending, said Gilchrist was ashamed to be appearing in court and the episode rounded off a recent history of tragedy. Gilchrist had seen the breakdown of relationships in the area of Burnley she lived in and had seen no cohesive society had existed for many years.

The defendant's husband had been seriously ill, she had wanted the best for him and to take him on holiday but had no money.

She had allowed herself to be persuaded to borrow money, got into debt and a relationship of vulnerability developed between her and the shadowy figures who got others to do their dirty work for them.

Mr Storrie said Gilchrist's judgment had deserted her, she had acted out of character and in a way she had at first thought would benefit her husband.

Young men from the area took over her house and her home was no longer her own. Her husband had been bewildered by what was going on.

The defendant had suffered acutely because of her bereavement and had been profoundly depressed.