A WOMAN who helps care for her paralysed brother was forced to sell cocaine to pay off drug debts, a court heard.

Hollie Gleedwood, 20, of Hurst Way, Leigh was found with £840 of cocaine in Southchurch Park, Southend last February.

She avoided jail at Basildon Crown Court yesterday, with recorder Osborne branding the case a cautionary tale.

Mobile phones showed Gleedwood was dealing on behalf of others.

Prosecuting, John Coates, said: “Initially she denied having drugs and then admitted to having cocaine in her pocket.

“She had 21 wraps of cocaine in lottery tickets, worth £840 and weighing 8.43grams.

“Messages on the phones showed she had a long debt to pay off, while evidence showed she was being directed to locations to supply drugs to customers.”

Mitigating Peter Clark said it was an extremely unfortunate situation.

He said: “She did the right thing and admitted it and started to put things right.

“I think the phones can be wiped and returned back to her.

“The person she was dealing for demanded evidence of her arrest which she then provided.”

Recorder Osborne told the court how she and her brother suffered a tough childhood after he was left paralysed following a tragedy.

Sentencing Gleedwood, he said: “This is a sad case and one that should act as a cautionary tale to others.

“You committed a serious offence and I know you appreciate the damage these drugs do to people.

“I also have little doubt you were worried about what would happen when you appeared at court today.”

A family member sat in the public gallery watching closely as the hearing progressed.

Gleedwood was stopped by police in her car in the park with £260 at 9pm on February 17 last year, the court heard.

Recorder Osborne added: “You had debt and were working at the lowest level and trying to pay off debts.

“There was financial gain for you by doing this.

“You say you were stupid and are remorseful and I’ve heard how you continue to support your brother.

“You’ve also become a mum and left that life behind.”

She was handed a two year sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.