A MOTHER admitted neglecting her four children and spending money on drugs.

The 28-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wept in the dock as a district judge described the “dangerous fashion’’ in which she raised her children.

The woman bought speed, cannabis and alcohol while they went without shoes and beds, Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard.

The children, aged two to 11, are now in the care of grandparents.

The mother admitted four charges of neglect between January 1 and May 6 last year.

The court heard the woman hoped to regain full custody of her children.

Phillippa Beswick, mitigating, said: “She is a young, single mother, struggling financially, and she was malnourished herself.

“Her son never had shoes because his dad promised them, but never delivered. She has stopped taking drugs and now realises she needs continued support.’’

Social services have since provided beds.

District judge Andrew Woollard told the mother: “These were serious offences in which you dealt with your children in a totally unacceptable way.

“While having no money was the root of your problems, you did nothing to address the issues you were having and used money to buy drugs.’’

The woman, from Braintree, was handed an 18-month supervision order, fined £100 and ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £50 costs.

She must attend an alcohol intervention programme and an education, training and employment programme.

The judge warned: “You were raising your children in a dangerous fashion and if you don't comply with your order, you will almost certainly go to prison.’’