DEPRESSED Carole Linton forgot she had cocaine in her possession when police searched her home. Linton was also found to be in possession of £20 cannabis.

DEPRESSED Carole Linton forgot she had cocaine in her possession when police searched her home.

Linton was also found to be in possession of £20 cannabis as well as up to £3.50 worth of cocaine in a police search last November, South East Suffolk Magistrates were told.

The 39-year-old, of no fixed abode, also pleaded guilty to not turning up to court for her hearing on January 18.

Police found the drugs after executing a search warrant at her previous home address, said David Taylor, prosecuting. He added Linton had similar previous convictions.

Nickki Miller, mitigating, told magistrates the drugs were for Linton's own personal use.

Although Linton is a frequent cannabis user, cocaine was not something she did on a regular basis, said Miller. Linton forgot the cocaine was still in her possession.

Referring to the bail act offence Miller said Linton was suffering from depression on January 18.

She had seen a GP who prescribed drugs and a side effect of this was that it made her sleepy.

"She was going to bed at night and waking up in the afternoon," said Miller. She added this happened on January 18 when Linton was supposed to be in court.

Linton was evicted from her home address three weeks ago and has been staying with friends.

In sentencing chairman of the bench, Mark Wade, fined her £40 for possession of cannabis, £60 for possession of cocaine. She was given a six month conditional discharge for the bail act offence.