mother of one who stole a wallet containing $1,027 from a 72-year-old neighbour and used the money to buy crack cocaine and heroin.

Kamala Battersbee, of Spring Hill, Warwick admitted stealing William Young's wallet on October 3.

Sgt. Donald Grant said Battersbee went to Young's home where he was sitting on the porch.

Young knew Battersbee well because she often visited his home. She sat beside him and removed the wallet from his pocket and left.

She was arrested on October 27 and admitted she stole the wallet and used the money to buy drugs.

Duty counsel Ms Kiernan Bell said Battersbee, who has a record for theft and other offences that stretches back to 1987, was suffering from a "serious and crippling addiction'' to heroin and crack.

"This offence is a cry for help,'' she said. "She openly took the wallet from someone who knew her and then spent the money on drugs. We are dealing with an addiction which changes the nature of the crime.'' Battersbee will be sentenced on November 30.