A MOTHER-of-two who stashed drugs bought with hundreds of pounds of unemployment benefit in a hole in her garden has been jailed for six months.

Jayne Hollyoak was bailed after hiding another cannabis hoard at a friend's home, Worcester Crown Court was told.

But she then went out and bought £300 of cannabis with her benefit money to share with her partner, said Samantha Crabb, prosecuting.

Police who raided her home found 185grammes buried in a bag.

Hollyoak, aged 34, admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and possession.

Judge Michael Mott said she had been "cocking a snook" at the legal system and had deprived her children of cash which was spent on drugs for herself.

He did not wish to send anyone in her position to jail, but she had made a rod for her own back.

Heroin addict

Hollyoak first hid 201grammes of cannabis at a friend's home in Teme Avenue, Kidderminster, because she feared her partner at the time, a heroin addict, would steal the drugs if they were left at her own address.

They had a street value of £862.

Arrested on Thursday, January 25, this year, she confessed to police they were her drugs, which she had paid £300 for out of her benefit, said Miss Crabb.

Three months later the buried drugs were discovered.

Hollyoak, of Tomkinson Drive, Foley Park, Kidderminster, had bought them three weeks earlier, also paying £300.

She had previous convictions for criminal damage, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon.

Samantha Forsyth, defending, said Hollyoak, who has two sons aged 15 and 12, had become a heavy user of cannabis after difficulties with her former partner, including domestic violence.

But she had now taken stock of her life and had stopped taking drugs. Both her parents had recently died.

Miss Forsyth added: "She appreciates she made a very big mistake and has had a very big shock."