SAMANTHA Portlock kept her heroin addiction a secret for over eight years, a court heard.

None of her family suspected the single parent was a drug user and she never came to the attention of the police.

But Blackburn magistrates heard that years of deceiving herself and her family ended when Portlock was arrested for possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

And the court was told that Portlock's arrest had probably saved her life as she was now determined to beat the habit with the help of her family and the drug agencies.

Portlock, 33, of Leopold Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possession of the three drugs and was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay £54 costs.

Roger Pickles, defending, said that despite her drug addiction, Portlock had never before appeared in a criminal court.

She had been introduced to heroin at the age of 25 when she had gone to work in London.

"She realised it was not good and moved back to Blackburn to get away from heroin," said Mr Pickles. "However, she slowly drifted back and was gradually reintroduced to taking drugs."

Mr Pickles said Portlock's parents had known absolutely nothing of their daughter's addiction.

"She has kept it a secret for all these years and it has been escalating," said Mr Pickles.

"Being stopped by the police has probably saved her life. Her mother and father now know and they are giving her their full support.

"They only wish she had come to them all those years ago."

Mr Pickles said Portlock had always worked to fund her habit and also to maintain her child "immaculately". "Her addiction has taken its toll on her health and it has cost her a great deal of money over the years," said Mr Pickles.

"She now wants to turn her back on this lifestyle. She has been to see the community drugs team and while there has been talk of methadone programmes and the like she is determined to be drug free, whether they be illegal or prescribed.

"My client wants to get this court case over with then she can get on with her life again."

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