An Amman Valley mum has been praised by magistrates for “turning her life around”.

Kelly Griffiths, of 12 Maes yr Hendre in Garnant, “fell in with a bad crowd and went off the rails” following the death of her mother some years ago.

Griffiths, Llanelli magistrates were told, began using Class A drugs and subsequently developed a heroin addiction.

However, three years ago the 32-year-old tackled her problems and has been clean of heroin ever since.

Magistrates were told how police had attended Griffiths home on March 16.

When they arrived at the property, Griffiths handed over a small bag containing 0.3grammes of cannabis.

Another 0.9grammes was in a pot in the property.

The total value of the Class B drugs was less than £10.

Griffiths told officers she knew it was illegal to possess the drug.

“It helps me to cope when I get stressed,” she said.

“I would much rather smoke cannabis than be on heroin.”

Kate Williams, defending, told the court how Griffiths had overcome her problems with Class A drugs.

“She has not used heroin since 2011,” said Ms Williams.

“She is in a very different place now, but she still occasionally uses a very small amount of cannabis when she becomes stressed.

“Considering the previous difficulties she faced in relation to Class A drugs she has moved on tremendously.

“She has made incredible progress in her life.”

Griffiths admitted possessing cannabis.

Granting her a six-month conditional discharge, magistrates praised Griffiths for the positive transformation she made to her life.

She was ordered to pay £40 court costs and a further £15 legal surcharge.