A teenager who became the country’s youngest mum grew cannabis because she could not afford to buy alcohol.

Amy Crowhurst, who became pregnant at the tender age of 12, pleaded guilty to producing and possessing the class B drug at the home she shares with her two young children.

Crawley Magistrates' Court was told the 19-year-old smoked cannabis to get away from the stress of parenthood and daily life.

During the hearing Crowhurst, of Curteys Walk, Bewbush, Crawley, admitted one count of producing the drug and two counts of possessing it.

Crowhurst was arrested after police used a warrant to search her home on August 4 this year.

They found 5.2 grams of the drug and equipment used to grow cannabis plants.

On August 25, Crowhurst was found with another 1.2 grams of the drug on her.

The court was told she had been using cannabis since she was 16 and had received a caution for possession last year.

She was sentenced to a community order for nine months and was ordered to pay £40 costs.

She was also told to go on a drug rehabilitation course and the drugs were ordered to be destroyed.

Crowhurst, a former pupil at Thomas Bennett Community College in Tilgate, made national headlines after she became pregnant in 2002 after a one night stand with a 15-year-old boy at a youth club.