A WOMAN with a history of drug problems broke into a friend's house and stole a wallet full of cash.

Leanne Wallace, 30, of Neasham Road, Darlington, previously pleaded guilty to burglary and appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates this week for sentencing.

Her aunt Clare Edmondson, 38, of Frosterley, near Bishop Auckland, had pleaded not guilty to the same offence but was convicted following a trial. She also appeared, separately, for sentence.

Wallace was "so determined that the court knew the truth" about the incident that she actually gave evidence for the prosecution against her aunt in the trial, the court heard.

The pair visited the friend, allegedly to buy drugs, on June 15 last year.

He was visiting a neighbour but they entered his unlocked house and Wallace took the wallet containing £80 cash while Edmondson allegedly took cannabis.

Cigarettes were also stolen from the house.

John Clish, mitigating on Edmondson's behalf,said the university-educated mother-of-two still maintained she had not stolen anything when she entered the victim's house.

However, she accepted she had been found guilty in court.

He said Edmondson, a chef, was likely to be appealing her conviction at the Crown Court. She effectively had a clean record other than a motoring offence, he said.

Steven Andrews, mitigating for Wallace, said: "She has a history of drug use and the like. That now seems to be being addressed but there is a residual problem with alcohol.

"She is cooperating which represents a swing from where we were previously. She assisted in coming and giving evidence for the prosecution against her aunt. She was determined everyone should know the truth about what went on that day."

Wallace had three children but two lived with her family and one had been adopted. She had a history of heroin addiction but was following a methadone program, although she was still 'dabbling' with heroin and had a chaotic life, the court heard.

Wallace was given an 18-month community order and ordered to pay £52.50 compensation to the victim and £85 costs. Magistrates stressed that she was lucky to escape prison and said: "This could have been an awful lot worse."

Edmondson was given a 36-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £520 costs and £52.50 compensation.

Both women were given a restraining order, for one year, banning them from contacting the victim, even via social media.