A FORMER heroin addict had got her life back on track after 17 weeks in hospital had helped her get clear of illegal drugs.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Karen Wignall had been "clean" for five months and appeared in court a different person.

Wignall, 31, of Whittaker Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to loitering for the purpose of prostitution and failing to answer bail. She was fined £50, with £55 costs, but the magistrates then wiped out £120 of existing fines.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said the offence, dating back to August, had come at a time when Wignall had reached an all-time low.

Mr Blacklidge said: "She has a young family but because of the hold heroin had on her life she wasn't able to care for the children. By agreement they went to live with her sister and that was a significant step.

"She didn't use it as a spur to improve her life, quite the opposite, and eventually resorting to prostitution and the other offences you have heard about to finance her habit," he added.

Mr Blacklidge said Wignall had eventually been admitted to hospital to have blood clots removed from her legs but had then been re-admitted to have two abscesses removed.

"She spent 17 weeks in Queen's Park Hospital and that has ensured a period of detoxification and rehabilitation," said Mr Blacklidge.

"She has been allowed to move in with her sister and her children and the person you see before you today bears no resemblance to the person who was appearing in these courts last summer."