SINGLE parent Lisa Watson was described in court as a product of the care system who had emerged as a "damaged individual".

Blackburn magistrates were told she had a heroin habit and an eight-month-old baby and was a young lady "crying out for help." Watson, 20, of East Park Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing two jars of Nivea cream from Superdrug.

She was remanded on bail until November 15 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Watson had admitted the theft to police and said she would have sold the jars to buy items for her baby. Roger Pickles, defending, said Watson had emerged from the care system a damaged individual with a heroin problem.

"It is incredibly difficult when you have the care of a young baby and a heroin habit," said Mr Pickles.

"Her baby comes first, she spends all her money on the child, who is her priority and wants for nothing but, eventually, as an addict, she has to resort to this sort of behaviour."