Ref. 25620-3A RECOVERING heroin addict who committed "an appalling catalogue of petty crime" has walked free from court.

Twenty-nine-year-old Candice Montgomery pleaded guilty to loitering as a prostitute, theft, benefit fraud, possession of cannabis, failure to surrender and breach of a community rehabilitation order.

But the Swindon Magistrate's Court yesterday heard the string of offences, dating from August 2001 to December 2002, were all drug-related.

Con Fernandes, for the defence, said: "These offences have been committed during the dark days of her drug addiction."

The court heard that Mont-gomery, currently living in a drug- rehabilitation centre in Droxford, Hampshire, had a troubled upbringing and had taken drugs from the young age of 14.

"This Class A heroin addict became a Class A cocaine addict and had a huge daily drug habit," said Mr Fernandes.

"She went out on the streets at the behest of her drug addicted boyfriend so she wouldn't have to steal," the defence counsel said.

In April 2001 Montgomery married a Kenyan national, Ken Diamo, in a sham marriage for money to enable him to stay in the country. But after being promised £3,000 she received just a third of that amount.

Because she failed to disclose her marriage to the Department of Work and Pensions she was breaking the law by continuing to claim single-parent benefit for her and her child.

The court heard Montgomery's situation had improved since February when she moved into the Hampshire drugs clinic.

The woman recently secured funding for another six months in the clinic. "She wants to do all she can to put drugs behind her and she is well on the way to recovery," said Mr Fernandes.

Chairman of the bench, Giles Currie, said: "The charges are an appalling catalogue of petty crime. Virtually all of it was drug-related."

Montgomery had suffered one lapse since entering the clinic.

"This could have been catastrophic for your health and your liberty," Mr Currie told the woman.

But the court decided to overlook this and gave her a break.

"You have taken advantage of the chance which the court offered you and we appreciate the success of your efforts to kick this dreadful drug habit," said Mr Currie.

"We hope you will show your gratitude by continuing to make progress," he added.

Outside the court Montgomery told the Evening Advertiser that she was pleased the court had given her another chance.

"I am dealing with the consequences of my actions as a drug user. That's why I am trying to change my life," she said.

Montgomery was given a conditional discharge for a period of 18 months and faces fine of just under £1,000.