A CARE worker from Blackburn who laundered money for her drug-dealing son has been jailed for 12 months.

When Graham Brindle was arrested, he instructed his mother to pay out thousands of pounds held in her account, thus keeping money out of the hands of authorities.

But Linda Brindle's "misplaced loyalty" resulted in her being jailed in what a judge described as a tragic case.

The 54-year-old, of Whitby Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to five laundering charges.

Judge Andrew Gilbart QC, sitting at Preston Crown Court, told her: "I have to pass a custodial sentence because the court must make the message absolutely clear that those who handle the proceeds of crime and in particular, the selling of drugs on the streets of East Lancashire, must receive a custodial sentence."

The court heard Graham Brindle was released from a four-year sentence in February 2003 for possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

He returned to live with his mother then in August last year, observations were carried out at her address, said Sergey Prokofiev, prosecuting.

As a result, police recovered a substantial stash of class A drugs and Graham Brindle was later given a six-and-a-half-year jail term.

During the investigation, police had noticed a high level of expenditure undertaken by the defendant.

Inquiries were made and she was asked why so much money had left her account, shortly after her son was arrested.

Brindle said she had got a phone call from prison from him, instructing her to get hold of the money and advising her that the police may be after her.

She was a woman of previous good character.

Louise Whaites, defending, told the court: "It is extremely unfortunate that a lady who had worked very hard all her adult life appears before this court for offences of this nature."

She had been "absolutely devastated" about what her son had done, the first time he was sent to prison.

When he came home on his release, expressing a desire to rebuild his life, buying and selling cars, she offered to pay money from him into her account.

Miss Whaites said: "She hoped he was turning his life around but there came a time when suspicions grew. She attempted to block out these suspicions from her mind.

"She did not want to admit to herself, let alone anyone else, what her son may be doing. She should have indicated to him she wanted nothing more to do with placing money into the account."