A WOMAN went into a 92-year-old man's home and took cash days before Christmas to buy drugs for herself and her mother, a court heard.

Rebecca Oxley, 26, had been so desperate she was trying to sell the pensioner her clothes in a bid to raise funds.

Burnley Crown Court heard Oxley, who was fighting her own addiction but had to contend with her mother's as well, had suffered everything life could throw at her.

She was sent to prison for 12 months after Recorder Kevin Talbot said in civilised societies courts had to do everything in their power to protect vulnerable victims.

He added the defendant had a tragic social and domestic situation and once she was released, it was likely she would revert to such behaviour.

Oxley, of Thorn Street, Burnley, admitted theft, last December 22.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, said the pensioner used to leave his front door open for visitors and became aware of the defendant when she walked into his home carrying a shopping bag. She said she was short of money and wanted to sell him some jewellery.

The defendant then took a small amount of change from the man's kitchen, picked up her shopping and left. The pensioner became suspicious, found the money was missing and contacted the police. He was left shaken by what happened.

Robert Crawford, defending, urged the court to make a community rehabilitation order with psychiatric help.

He said everything that could have happened in Oxley's life had happened.

Mr Crawford added although the defendant could not argue with custody, two or three further months inside would not make any difference to whether or not she was going to break her drugs habit.

It would keep her out of circulation for a bit longer and Oxley was still at high risk of reoffending.