A WOMAN wept in the dock when a judge showed mercy by not jailing her for possessing and supplying heroin.

Tracy McQuillan had been caught twice with heroin but a court was told she had made an effort to wean herself off drugs.

On the first police raid officers caught McQuillan with her trousers round her ankles and holding a syringe in her hand.

The second time more heroin was found dotted around the house and police seized just under a quarter of an ounce of heroin.

McQuillan, aged 30, formerly of Firwood Grove, Tonge Moor, Bolton, appeared at Bolton Crown Court.

She had earlier admitted possession of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to supply to others.

Prosecutor Vanessa Thomson said that police raided McQuillan's home on June 13 this year and found her sat on the sofa with her trousers down holding a syringe ready to inject herself.

During the second raid on August 15 police officers found heroin in several places and when she was interviewed she said that she had bought bags of heroin with a loan and then bought more with her benefits money.

David Toal, defending, said she had come off heroin and was now on a methadone programme under the supervision of the Community Drugs Team.

Judge William Morris said he could have sent her to prison for nine months but he accepted she had made great efforts to come off drugs.

He sentenced her to a three year Community Rehabilitation Order and stipulated that she attend the Womens' Offending Behaviour Programme.