A MOTHER has been jailed for 12 months after committing "a stream of offences beyond excuse" despite being given chance to clean up her act.

Jacqueline Burbridge was given a chance of a non-custodial penalty after admitting drug charges at the start of the year.

But, during the six-month deferment period, she carried out assaults, criminal damage, burglary and handling stolen goods, said Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting.

Judge Michael Mott told Burbridge, of Farmer's Way, Droitwich, it would make "a mockery" of a deferred sentence if he did not send her to prison.

"Your behaviour seems to have become worse," he added. "This stream of offences is beyond excuse."

Police found heroin worth up to £45 in Burbridge's kitchen cupboard and she had a silver foil pipe when her partner's car was stopped in August 2001, Worcester Crown Court heard.

She had cannabis hidden inside her bra, then hid a stash of heroin down the back seat of a police car, which was taking her home, said Mr Cartwright.

She had taken the drugs off her partner after they had been on a trip to Birmingham to buy them for £400.

Burbridge, a 34-year-old mother of one, had admitted possession of cannabis and heroin at the original hearing.

Judge Mott had deferred sentence after being told she was off heroin and her life was more stable. He took into account that her partner had been the principal offender.

Michael Grey, defending, said she had gone through "a terrible time" in her life after losing her job. After her crown court appearance, she associated with unsuitable men who knew she had a drug problem.

But she recently moved to a hostel in Selly Oak, where she was making progress and had tested drug-free.

"I know the courts take a very serious view of offences during a deferment," added Mr Grey.

"But she has made a considerable effort to rid herself of the addiction. She is going to feel the loss of her son most when she is in custody."