A MOTHER who spent her benefit money on drugs after her children were taken into care was in court yesterday.

Harrogate magistrates heard how Jane Sykes planned to use heroin and cannabis to comfort her in the absence of her children.

But police arrived at her home in Avenue Grove, Starbeck, Harrogate, armed with a drugs search warrant.

Sykes, 36, pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of drugs and also admitted failing to answer bail.

Her solicitor, Clive Farndon, said she had been using illegal drugs for some time.

In November, she was devastated when her two young children were taken into care.

She bought heroin and cannabis using the ''large quantity of money'' she had received as an income support back payment.

Michael Hammond, prosecutor, said police found the drugs in her sitting room during the raid, and she had admitted going out and buying £100 of heroin shortly before.

Sykes, who refused to identify her supplier, told police she had the cannabis for some time and smoked "a couple of joints a night".

Court chairman Forrest Humphrey agreed that there would be no benefit in the probation agency getting involved. Sykes, and her health, would be best served by continuing the work she was doing with her GP.

She was conditionally discharged for a year and told to pay £70 costs.

A confiscation order was made for the drugs.