A judge highlighted how the lack of stable accommodation helped draw young people into crime as he imposed a suspended jail term on a vulnerable woman caught dealing cocaine and heroin, in Great Yarmouth.

When police raided an address in Roman Place, they found homeless Shantai Daniels, 21, with wraps of heroin and cocaine worth £60 and £100 cash, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Martin Ivory, prosecuting, said that Daniels was found with six wraps of drugs worth £35 and a further package with five wraps worth £25.

He said that when the drugs were examined, Daniels fingerprints were found on the wraps, which showed she had been involved in helping package the drugs.

Mr Ivory said a phone she was using was also seized and text messages relating to drug dealing were found on the phone.

Daniels, of Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, admitted possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to supply and was jailed for 20 months suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work.

Matthew McNiff, for Daniels, said she was homeless at the time of the offence and had been using Class A drugs.

'She was isolated from her family at the time and vulnerable.'

He said she had got in with the wrong crowd and had been directed by others to come to Great Yarmouth to deal drugs.

He said that since her arrest, Daniels, who was of previous good character, had managed to turn her life around.

Mr McNiff said she was now in stable accommodation and also surrounded by the support of her extended family, who had come with her for the court hearing.

He added:'The offence happened at a vulnerable time and she made a serious mistake.'

Sentencing her, Judge Stephen Holt accepted Daniels was vulnerable and had been directed by others to deal drugs to pay off a drugs debt

Judge Holt said she was isolated at the time and had got drawn into the drugs world.

However he said since her arrest she had changed her life around and was now in stable accommodation.

He said: 'Without stable accommodation young people get drawn into crime.'

Judge Holt stressed the importance of young people having a stable address and the support of family.