A Skipton drug user was kidnapped from the town's railway station, taken to Bradford and forced into prostitution and a life of crime, a court was told.

Georgina Metcalfe, 25, of North Parade, was rescued by her family after they learnt of her situation and asked Bradford police to arrest her, her solicitor told Skipton magistrates.

Metcalfe appeared before the bench and pleaded guilty to three charges of theft, obtaining property by deception, forgery and failing to surrender to custody.

Metcalfe's solicitor John Mewies said that the defendant had committed offences after she had run up a large debt for heroin.

He told the court that Metcalfe had been bailed to a York residence, but had not reached the address. He said that she had gone to Skipton railway station intending to catch a train to York but had been abducted from there.

"Somehow her presence on the railway station was notified to undesirable people," Mr Mewies said. "She was literally kidnapped on the railway station and taken to Bradford by people to whom she owed a substantial amount of money for a drug debt.

"Initially she was made to steal goods to order to reduce a debt. These thefts were not at her behest. These offences were committed by her but not willingly, and under duress," he added.

"While she was living against her will in Bradford she was also seen to be working as a prostitute in Lumb Lane in Bradford to reduce her debt.

"Thankfully some of her relatives became aware of where she was and alerted the police. She was speedily arrested," Mr Mewies added.

Metcalfe had been remanded in custody after the resulting appearance in court.

Mr Mewies told the court that Metcalfe had now been clean of heroin for three weeks, and had opted to do this herself, without help from prescription drugs.

He said: "She presents herself to the court as being drug free and getting her life back into some semblance of normality."

Metcalfe admitted stealing from a pensioner who had given her a home, and Mr Mewies said: "She appreciates now, having had time to reflect, that her offences are despicable and constitute a significant breach of trust.

"She was really at the lowest ebb of her life. She would say that she was simply trying to fund her habit and satisfy the cravings she had. At that stage of her life she would have literally resorted to anything to get some money."

Presiding magistrate Anne Kay told Metcalfe that the bench had taken into account the time she had spent on remand, and the details of her pre-sentence report.

Metcalfe was given a 12 month community rehabilitation order, a condition of which was to attend a drug counselling programme.

Mrs Kay said: "You have shown commitment to staying away from drugs at the moment and hopefully that will continue. If you fail to complete this order then almost certainly you will be sent to prison."

Metcalfe was also ordered to pay compensation of £30 for a stolen mobile and £161.75 to the Post Office for money gained through using a pension book.