A PREGNANT woman who turned to dealing drugs as a way of "keeping a roof over her head" has been sentenced to a community order.

Natalie Brassington, 33, of Redberth, admitted possessing 32.8g of cannabis with intent to supply it when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on March 29.

Since committing the offence, Brassington has given birth to her first child.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones said when police executed a search warrant at her home address, Brassington was "fully co-operative".

"She immediately showed them a package containing 41 individual wraps of herbal cannabis, with a street value of £328," Mr Pritchard-Jones explained. "She was arrested and her mobile phones were seized.

"There were a number of text messages indicating she was dealing the cannabis, and analysis of her bank accounts showed that over the last couple of years there were deposits of approximately £10,000 that were not explained."

Defence solicitor Mathew Greenish said Brassington had been going through a "difficult financial period" at the time of her offending.

"She was pregnant and living on her own, and she needed to keep a roof over her head," Mr Greenish explained.

"Her housing benefit was £57 a week and her rent was £100 a week. She needed to make up the shortfall, and turned to cannabis dealing.

"She doesn't use drugs herself and hasn't been before the courts since 2001."

Magistrates sentenced Brassington to a 12 month community order with a 15 day rehabilitation requirement. She was fined £120 and must also pay court costs of £145.