A pensioner was so upset at having her home burgled by her own daughter that could no longer face living there, a court was told.

Mother-of-three Helen Bernadette Banim, 40, had recently been discharged from the Ablett psychiatric unit when she called at the property in Ffordd Derwen, Rhyl, on May 18.

James Neary, prosecuting at Llandudno magistrates’ court, said that Banim knew her mother was out but a neighbour, Beryl Hughes, heard her banging on the door.

Mrs Hughes tried to reason with her and invited her in for a cup of tea, but then realised that Banim was using a hammer to smash the door.

The police were called and Banim, of Sisson Street, Rhyl, admitted burglary with intent to steal. Officers found that an untidy search of the premises had been carried out.

In a victim impact statement her mother said she no longer felt safe in the property and would be moving to a new address.

Banim told probation officers that she was genuinely remorseful and had not only been suffering from psychosis but also using up to £20 worth of amphetamines a day.

She said she did not intend harming her mother and new “felt terrible” about what she had done.

District Judge Gwyn Jones said there were a number of aggravating features in the case, including the fact that Banim had taken a hammer with her to the house and her actions had had a severe effect on her mother.

Banim was given a 26-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

She must also pay her mother £300 in compensation, court costs of £85 and a £115 surcharge, and attend a 20-day rehabilitation programme.