Nelson woman stole to pay off drug dealers (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Nelson woman stole to pay off drug dealers

3:00pm Wednesday 11th July 2012 in News By Andrew Bellard, Court reporter

A 23-YEAR-OLD Nelson woman was first introduced to shoplifting by her mother when she was just six.

Blackburn magistrates heard Leah George turned to what she knew best after drug dealers decided she should inherit her partner’s debts when he fled.

The court was told George had fallen out with her boy-friend when she discovered he had drugs in the house they shared with their three children.

She flushed his drugs down the toilet and that brought the relationship to an end, despite the fact she was pregnant.

But she ended up facing his dealers, who wanted their money back and blamed her for disposing of the drugs.

She then went shoplifting to try and make ends meet.

George, of Carleton Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to stealing spirits and clothing worth £114 from Asda in Accrington.

She was sentenced to 14 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £40 costs.

Trevor Grice, defending, said George was introduced to shoplifting by her mother when she was just six years old.

“That continued throughout her formative years,” said Mr Grice.

He said after the row which ended with the drugs being flushed down the toilet the boyfriend fled to Rochdale leaving George to face the music.

“The drug dealers came to her house and told her she was responsible for their loss,” said Mr Grice.

“She was desperate for money, even after arranging a loan from the Credit Union which went straight to the dealers.

“She is now pregnant by the man who brought all this on her and then fled.”