Mother supplied drug to children

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/suffolk/7035665.stm

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A former teaching assistant who gave cannabis to her children to stop them buying it from street dealers has been ordered to carry out community service.

Nicola Cooper, 43, from Ixworth, Suffolk, was sentenced after admitting possession with intent to supply at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court.

The court heard 116 grams of cannabis resin was seized at her home by police.

After telling the court she regretted what she had done, Ms Cooper was given 200 hours community service.

After sentencing, Cooper said she was very lucky not to have been given a custodial sentence.

"Some people give their children alcohol, cigarettes at an early age and I know my children, I know my family, we have a great family life," Cooper said.

"It has never caused any sort of problems at all.

"So, I do regret that I've broken the law. I do feel sorry for that and I'm certainly not going to be doing it again."