A crown court judge has put off the case of a woman who burgled two houses in Bradford on Avon to see if she is suitable for a drug treatment and testing order.

Maria Mularczyk could escape a prison sentence for the two break-ins if she is found suitable for the order which involves compulsory drug testing and counselling.

The 21-year-old, who has a history of drink and drugs problems, made off with hundreds of pounds worth of property from the two homes in the town.

After learning that she has no previous convictions and mental health issues, a judge decided she should be given the chance of an assessment.

However, he pointed out that even if the report comes back recommending the order she could still face a prison term as the offences are so serious.

Mularczyk first broke into a property on Elmfield Close on July 9 last year and made off with a MiniDisc player and PlayStation games console, together worth £382.

She then raided a property at Cedar Court in October when she stole cash, a mobile phone, binoculars and a wallet and its contents worth a total of about £200.

When police went to her home two weeks after the second break-in they found she was growing two cannabis plants.

At a previous hearing Mularczyk, of Hillcrest Flats, Highfield, Bradford on Avon, admitted two counts of burglary and one of cultivating cannabis.

She then appeared at Swindon crown court the week before Christmas but could not be sentenced because she had overslept on the day her pre-sentence report was due to be prepared.

At that time Alex Daymond, defending, said his client had drug and mental health issues and had never been in trouble before.

He said: "She has contacted the Bath Area Drug and Alcohol Service and is starting to address her drink and drug problems." After the report was compiled he told the court that the option of community service was only available if her GP deemed she was fit to carry out the work.

Adjourning the case, Judge Charles Wade told Mularczyk there was a point where the offences become so serious that custody is the only option.

He said: "I am with some hesitation going to adjourn this case to enable a drug treatment and testing assessment to be carried out.

"The offences to which you have pleaded guilty are, taken together or not, very serious indeed given the impact upon the victims."

"I am one of those who think where people are on drugs and where they are offending to fund their habit the option should be there.

"The victims may feel it is a lenient sentence but in the circumstances it may be wrong for me to deny the opportunity of an assessment.