A Folkestone drug dealer made a personal plea from the court dock for a judge not to jail her... for the sake of her children.

Mum-of-two Stacey Lowe, 32, wept as she said: "I know I shouldn't have done it but if I didn't do it the children wouldn't have eaten properly.

"It was either that or stealing. So I ended up in a situation I didn't want to be in. I would like a chance to sort out my life."

Lowe's entreaty was successful as she was given a community order - where she will receive treatment for her addiction - and ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.

The Judge Philip St John-Stevens told her: "I will give you one last chance."

Lowe, a former carer of Brabner Close, had pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court to charges of possessing cannabis and possessing amphetamines with intent to supply.

Prosecutor James Bilsland told how police raided her home in January this year where they discovered cannabis resin, herbal cannabis and amphetamines, together with scales, plastic bags and mobile telephones. - one with the message: "How much white stuff?"

Nicholas Rimmer, defending, said Lowe had "met with misfortune" and had been unable to complete her school education after becoming pregnant.

He added: "She has suffered at the hands of abusive relationships up until three years ago. She has struggled against the adversities of her life.

"She now has a new partner and harbours ambitions for the future and wants to combat her demons and to address her drug addiction."