A YOUNG mum who helped herself to a charity box was placed on a drug treatment and testing order by a judge.

Burnley Crown Court had heard how Danielle Nicholson, 21, had had a drug problem for a long time and her barrister said it may be in the defendant's best interests to give the course a go. Otherwise, Nicholson could face losing her liberty or be conditionally discharged.

Nicholson, of Willow Street, Clayton-le-Moors, had earlier admitted theft.

She was given a 12 months drugs testing and treatment order and a previous probation order was revoked.

Sentencing her, Judge Barbara Watson said the order would be "hugely demanding."

She said the defendant would have signed an agreement that she was prepared to undertake giving specimens of urine and she would also come back regularly before the court for review.

The judge warned Nicholson: "If you don't comply with the stringent requirements of this order, you can be bought back before the court and resentenced at any stage."

John Wishart, prosecuting, said the defendant took the charity box from a confectionery shop. It was strongly suspected pother people were involved. The money taken -- £14.98 -- was recovered from a house where she and three other people were when police arrived.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Nicholson had had a drug problem for a long time. Efforts had been made in the past, some successfully, to get her off drugs. The defendant was now the mother of a young child and was keen to try the treatment course.