I'VE PAID POUNDS 8K FOR MY BOY'S HEROIN

A DESPERATE mum financed her son's heroin habit to keep him out of jail, a
court heard yesterday.

John Barlow, 22, spent pounds 40 every day on the killer drug.

Last night, Williamina Barlow said: "Until you have experienced this, you
haven't a clue what you'd do. This is a living hell. It's split me in two."

Mrs Barlow spent more than pounds 8000 on Barlow's heroin habit to make
sure he did not turn to crime.

But while the 49-year-old sunk into debt, her son stole from the family.

He admitted theft at Falkirk Sheriff Court yesterday but was spared jail
after his family begged to have him back.

Mrs Barlow is working overtime to make ends meet and said: "I've lost my
friends over this but he is mine. I can't cut the ties."

The court heard jobless Barlow broke into his sister's room and took pounds 60.

Sheriff Albert Sheehan said: "His mother got into debt because he won't
stop and she does not want him committing crime."

Barlow, of Bainsford, Falkirk, admitted forcing a bedroom lock in October.

Martin Morrow, defending, said: "His mother is willing to have him in the
house."

Sheriff Sheehan put Barlow on probation while he awaits drugs counselling
and said: "You're obviously determined to go on being a heroin addict."

Mrs Barlow calls herself an anti-drugs campaginer and has worked with
Mothers Against Drugs.

Yet she is spending pounds 200 a week on heroin and has cashed in five
insurance policies and borrowed money from family.

She said: "I'm angry with him but it's an illness. I may be saving someone
being broken into."