A HEROIN addict who turned to crime late in life but did not do the community service that resulted from it, has been given one last chance by a judge.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Shauna Constable, 33, had made considerable changes in her life and Assistant Recorder David Hernandez said she had made valiant efforts to kick her drug habit.

He added normally, anyone who failed to complete a community service order would go to prison, but he had given anxious consideration to her case and felt he did not need to deprive her of her liberty.

Constable, of Albert Road, Colne, admitted breaching the requirements of a community service order. She was given six months probation and the judge revoked the community service order.

Mark Stuart, for the community service office, said Constable was given 100 hours community service, after being convicted of handling stolen goods.

She was then given a further 20 hours by magistrates after breaching the order for a first time. Constable had completed 27 hours out of the 120 and the probation service thought the order was unworkable.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Constable had been living a chaotic life, taking heroin, had been homeless and living from pillar to post. In recent times, there had been a substantial change in her life.

She had got her own accommodation, had not had heroin for some considerable time, had been on medication and been through withdrawal symptons.

Mr Baldwin said the court had a stark choice -- a custodial sentence which would not only be destructive to her but not in the public interest.