A GRANDMOTHER who had heroin worth thousands of pounds in her Workington home was 'pressured' into helping dealers after her husband was locked up, a court heard.

Dawn Hilland, 55, frankly told her barrister that she was still using £20 worth of heroin each day.

Despite the ‘tragic’ circumstances of her life, a Carlisle Crown Court judge jailed her for 32 months after she admitted two counts of possessing the Class A drug with intent to supply.

She also admitted possessing the drug on a third occasion.

Paul Hodgkinson, prosecuting, said the offences came to light after police raided the defendant’s home in Roper Street, Workington, on January 13, 2019; October 31 of the same year; and then again on January 20 last year.

In the first search, police found heroin worth more than £3,500.

In the second raid, officers seized heroin worth £1,700. An analysis of the digital scales found in her home revealed traces of heroin, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.

On the defendant’s phone there was also evidence of drugs supply.

When police did the final raid on Hilland’s house, they found more than 8g of heroin and £520 cash - hidden in a Wellington boot.

Prosecutors accepted that this heroin was for the defendant’s personal use only - and Hilland's claim that she was storing the heroin in 2019 for higher level dealers.

They were due to collect it in a day or so, she said.

Kim Whittlestone, defending, said Hilland - now of Gladstone Street, Workington, had been in the grip of drug addiction for 20 years but she now felt something had to change.

The barrister said: “She’s still using heroin at about £20 per day.”

“She’s really as low as you can be as far as her physical and mental health,” said the barrister. “At 55, she’s had enough. She says her day-to-day life is the same.

"Something has to change.”

The defendant had been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and had a long history of struggling with drug and alcoho use.

Recorder Richard Archer told Hilland: “Yours are a particularly tragic set of circumstances.

"These courts see class A drug users become Class A street dealers time and time again. In your case, misery has been heaped on misery.”

The judge noted that dealers had "pressured" Hilland to store the drugs for them after her husband - who has serious health problems - accrued a drugs debt and was remanded in custody.

Despite the “considerable mitigation”, said the judge, he was unable to pass a sentence short enough to be suspended.

The Recorder added: “It’s a matter of considerable regret because I do acknowledge in the circumstances of your case that you are going to need help.”

The court heard that Hilland - a mother-of-four, who also has nine grandchildren - had a previous conviction for supplying Class A drugs.