Mum found with heroin walks free from court
Tracey Burt, 34, of Arden Street, New Mills, was given a conditional discharge on Monday after pleading guilty to possession of a Class A drug.
High Peak Magistrate’s Court heard Burt was stopped by police as she left a property in New Mills at 12.20pm on October 28 last year.
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Hide AdWhen officers searched Burt, they discovered half a gram of heroin in three separate wraps, the court heard.
John Cooper, prosecuting, said: “As a result of information received, the defendant was searched by police... She had been seen leaving a flat and was searched under the misuse of drugs act.”
He added: “Ten minutes later, the property she had been seen leaving was visited and searched by police. That [search] has resulted in two defendants being arrested for supplying offences.”
Burt made full and frank admissions when she was interviewed by police.
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Hide AdThe court heard Burt told officers she planned to smoke the heroin at her own home, and said that the supply would last for a few days.
Rebecca Wrack, defending, told the court that Burt began using heroin in her teens after a “difficult life”, in which she was abused.
The court heard Burt managed to overcome her addiction to heroin and remained drug-free for “several years”, but lapsed back into drugs last year.
Ms Wrack said: “Her mother passed away, her partner [and father] of her youngest child left her and she was using again.”
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Hide AdBut the court heard that Burt obtained independent support to come off drugs in January, and has remained clean since then.
The court heard that Burt is a single mum and has three children, aged 16, 14, and three.
Ms Wrack said that Burt is a registered carer for her 16-year-old son, who has type one diabetes.
The court heard that Burt has a previous shoplifting conviction from 2010 and a drugs conviction from 2007.
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Hide AdSentencing Burt, Magistrate Hilary Batterbee said: “We are very pleased that you have taken matters into your own hands.”
She added: “[A conditional discharge] is most unusual in a case like this, but we trust you will carry on as you are now.”
Burt was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.