SHOP A PUSHER - DRUG-addicted Sarah Burgess lost her child, her home and her job when she and her husband became hooked on crack-cocaine, a court heard.

Her life became so desperate that the 32-year-old was reduced to stuffing packets of the highly addictive drug into her anus to avoid police detection, when a car she was travelling in was stopped.

But in an incredible transformation Burgess, of Orchard Road, in Corsham, conquered her cravings for the deadly drug, won her life back and rebuilt her home and family.

Probation Service officer Terry Jackson told Chippenham Magistrates Court: "In 2002 the person we were dealing with was incapable of being a caring mother. She was totally out of control and her home was no longer safe for her child.

"The family had huge rent arrears because they couldn't hold down a job. They were offending and they were spending all their money on drugs."

He said Burgess' turnaround was 'so staggering' that he awarded her with a certificate of achievement, 'for the first and only time' in his career.

Mr Jackson, said: "She is totally clean, as is her husband. All her rent arrears have been paid off, there have been no more offences, and she has set up a decent home, which her son has returned to and where he is thriving."

Burgess pleaded guilty on Thursday to possession of crack cocaine and obstructing a police constable during a drugs search.

Prosecuting, Louisa Thomas said police officers spotted a suspect car at 2.40pm in April, 2003, with a woman, later identified as Burgess, sitting in the back.

A police officer saw the woman drop an inhaler, wrapped in tin foil, which she suspected was used for taking drugs, into a footwell in the back of the car.

The woman was arrested and taken to Chippenham where she was strip searched. Officers said she was shaking and her hand was near her bottom, as if she was hiding something.

Officers asked her what was hidden inside her and found plastic packets containing the drug.

Mrs Thomas said that in her police interview Burgess said she drove to Bristol with her husband because she had a craving for crack cocaine, and she bought 209 milligrams of the drug for £30.

Defending, Mike Pulsford said it was an unusual case because Burgess was not charged until seven months after her arrest and in that time her life had changed dramatically.

"Mrs Burgess feels she has completely turned the corner with drugs, nine months down the line.

"It is so difficult to get off this aggressive drug, but I would say Sarah Burgess is a success story."

Burgess was sentenced to an 18-month conditional discharge.

Chief magistrate Mo Boulton said: "I am delighted to hear about the progress you have made and that you are living back together as a family. Good luck."