A 36-YEAR-OLD woman reverted to drug abuse after a double set-back in her life.

Blackburn magistrates heard Samantha Jane Nerney was hit hard by the death of her father and suffered a second body blow when her partner, who had been a stabilising influence, was jailed for six years.

And having been 'clean' for a long time she returned to heroin and shoplifting to pay for her £50 a day habit.

Nerney, of Cairo Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to stealing lamb leg steaks worth £39 from Sainsburys and six charges of stealing candles worth a total of £715 from Boots.

She was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to complete a nine months drug rehabilitation requirement.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Nerney had been out of trouble for nearly three years before she admitted shoplifting offences in April.

Mark Williams, defending, said Nerney had returned to old ways after she found herself in a very low place. Shortly after her father's death her partner, who had played a big part in her stopping taking drugs, was jailed.

"She became depressed and as that developed she relapsed back into drug abuse," said Mr Williams.

"That has taken a quite shocking grip on her and I was shocked to see how quickly she has deteriorated and how ill she looks as a result of the misuse of drugs."