A MOTHER spent her benefit money on drugs in an attempt to overcome the devastation of having her children taken into care, a court heard yesterday.

But Jane Sykes's plans to use heroin and cannabis as a panacea for her sorrows were thwarted when her home in Avenue Grove, Starbeck, near Harrogate, was raided by police.

When Sykes, 36, pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of drugs and also admitted failing to answer bail, her solicitor, Clive Farndon, told Harrogate magistrates she had been using illegal drugs for some time.

In November, she was left devastated when her two children were taken into care and bought heroin and cannabis using the large amount of money she had received as income support back payment.

Sykes was arrested on November 29 but failed to appear in court on December 9 because she was depressed.

Court chairman Jane Garlick ordered probation reports to be prepared on and adjourned the hearing until January 17. Sykes was ordered to report to Harrogate police station each Monday and Friday in the meantime.