Woman hauled before court after being caught red-handed by police

A woman who was caught with heroin in a Blackburn street has avoided jail.

Tracy Fagan, 53, was seen by a police officer who was investigating drug dealing in the Dale Street area of the town. The officer asked if she had anything she shouldn't have and Fagan admitted she had a man's drugs.

She produced a bag of brown powder which was later analysed as 3.39g of heroin, with a street value of £340. Her mobile phone was analysed and a small number of messages relating to drugs were recovered.

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Fagan, of Bells Holiday Flats, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Preston Crown Court heard she had lost her home as a result of her relationship and had become involved in dealing through her partner. A pre-sentence report stated she was 'vulnerable.'

Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland said: "Heroin is a ghastly substance that ruins people's lives. It is obvious you have somehow got involved with drugs .

"They will get the better of you and they will ruin your life as much as they ruin everyone else's lives. you lost your home because of this. It will only get worse if you do it again. There will come a time when you will have to go to prison."

The judge said the custody threshold had clearly been crossed as Fagan had been involved with class A drugs. However he said he was prepared to hand down a suspended sentence.

"If you stay out of trouble and make sure you steer clear of drugs then you will be alright", he said.

He sentenced the defendant to nine months suspended for 18 months with 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.