A WOMAN from a good home went shoplifting after falling victim to drugs, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court was told how Katie Louise Stubbs, 24, was a "sad graphic case" of what could happen when somebody got involved in illicit substances.

Stubbs, of Lindsay Park, Worsthorne, admitted theft of alcohol and was given a 12 months conditional discharge with £74 compensation and £65 costs.

Dermot Woodhead, defending, said Stubbs had had no involvement with the police until August and came from a perfectly respectable home.

Her background was far removed from that of defendants who normally appeared before the courts.

Over the last six or seven months she had been taking heroin on a fairly regular basis.

Her parents had offered support but when her efforts to control her habit failed they were exasperated at what they saw as her lack of strength of character and asked her to leave.

Mr Woodhead said the defendant had had no proper accommodation and had relied on benefits and the charity of others.

She had then turned to crime to fund her habit but she had now learned a salutary lesson.

Stubbs had been detained at the police station a long time and that was something she did not want to repeat.

The solicitor added it was hoped Stubbs would shortly be admitted to hospital to undergo a detoxification programme.