A woman has been given a community order after admitting neglecting a child when they were exposed to rampant drug use.
The home Lucy Brack’s was at had traces of cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis and pregabalin when police searched the Darlington property.
A court heard how the 34-year-old was not responsible for a large quantity of cannabis recovered during the search.
Heather Blair, prosecuting, said the police attended the home following an anonymous tip-off amid concerns about a child.
She said: “Ultimately, tests have shown that the child was exposed to cocaine, amphetamine and pregabalin drugs.
“There was a large amount of cannabis in the property which belonged to another person, not the defendant.”
Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how the defendant had 18 previous convictions for 35 offences.
Brack, of Westmoreland Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a child.
Ben Pegman, mitigating, said the case had been hanging over his client for a long period of time and urged magistrates to follow the recommendations in her pre-sentence report.
He said: “She understands that she has fallen well short of acceptable behaviour in this case.
“She has to live with that and is remorseful for that. She is mired in alcohol addiction and pregabalin use.”
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Colonel Ian Simpson, the chairman of the bench, said: “The facts of this case are very disturbing.
“The pre-sentence report was written this month so it is up to date – I appreciate that the incident was quite a while ago.”
Brack was made subject to an 18-month community order with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days attached.
She was also ordered to pay £199 towards court costs.
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