A MOTHER financed her son's heroin habit for eight years in an attempt to stop him getting in trouble with the law, a court was told.

But Blackburn magistrates heard Gerard Burns's addiction outgrew his mother's purse - and when she said enough was enough he stole her credit card.

Today a drug addiction expert appealed for parents to get help instead of trying to deal with the children's addiction themselves.

Sharon Gardener, from Drugline Lancashire, said: "We get quite a lot of people who are in a similar situation. Its easy for people on the outside to say 'just kick them out' or 'stop giving them the money' but as a parent its much harder."

The court was told Burns used the card 17 times to get £660 in cash. He also pawned his mother's Sony Playstation.

Burns, 31, of Woodvale, Darwen, pleaded guilty to seven specimen charges of theft of cash, theft of the Playstation and theft of a credit card belonging to Doreen Douglas. He was remanded on bail until February 18 for sentencing.

Joanne Close, prosecuting, said Mrs Douglas had discovered her card missing and when reporting it to the bank was told there had been a number of cash withdrawals between December 13 and January 21.

"She normally kept her handbag with the card inside locked in the bathroom cupboard because of her son's history. She says she has done everything to help him with his drug habit and these offences are aggravated by the gross breach of trust," said Miss Close.

Roger Pickles, defending, said Burns was thoroughly ashamed of what he had done. He said: "His mum has known about his addiction and has supported him financially. She didn't want him to get into trouble through shoplifting.

"But his habit has become entrenched and his demands have become higher and higher. His mother hasn't been able to fund him any longer.

"In desperation he got her credit card and knew the pin number because in the past she had trusted him with it."

Mr Pickles said as a result of the offences, Mrs Douglas had thrown Burns out of her home. "It has brought things to a head and he says he wants nip this in the bud now," he added.

But drug adviser Ms Gardener said: "Often parents give money to their children just to stop them getting so angry, or diffuse a situation. The drug user will promise they are going to stop, they'll say anything to get the money and when it runs out, they'll turn to crime anyway.

"We can't tell parents what to do, only give them advice, listen and point them in the direction of support services if they need them. At the end of the day, It's up to the parent, what they want want to do. We can let them talk to somebody on a regular basis if they want to."

To talk to someone at Drugline contacted them on 01772 253840.