A HEROIN user stole her mother’s car and crashed into nine cars parked on a residential street in Pontypool causing a scene of “carnage”, a court was told.

Susan Moore, aged 45, of Caradoc Walk in Blaenavon, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, theft, and possession of a class C drug, at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The offences relate to the afternoon of Sunday, September 21, when Moore stole her mother’s car and attempted to drive to Abersychan to get heroin from her dealer.

Rob Simkins, prosecuting, said 10 cars were damaged, including the one Moore was driving – a red Renault Clio – after it collided with cars parked along Emlyn Road in Talywain.

The court heard how Moore’s mother, Jennifer Clarke, had refused to drive her daughter to Abersychan at around 2pm. Mr Simkins said the defendant then stole her mother’s car keys, along with £20 in cash from her purse, and drove off in the direction of Abersychan.

Mr Simkins said a witness gave a statement saying she saw a red Renault Clio “flying down” towards her on the wrong side of Emlyn Road.

The driver then swerved to her side of the road to avoid contact and gave a thumbs up signal as if to thank the witness for pulling over, Mr Simkins added. The witness then “turned around in fear” after seeing the car had collided with several cars.

The witness statement added: “It was extremely fast and frightening. I’ve only witnessed driving like that manner on the television.”

Another witness recalled a scene of “carnage”, Mr Simkins added.

Police were then called and after being placed in the police car, Moore consumed 10 tablets of diazepam. Police then searched her and found a further 60 tablets of the class C drug in her possession.

While at Ystrad Mynach police station, Moore admitted it was her intention to steal her mother’s car in order to get “a hit of heroin”. Mr Simkins added: “[Moore] said she was excited because she was going to her dealer and was going to get a hit.”

Moore said she remembers reaching for the radio before the crash.

Matthew Thomas, defending, said: “It was one of the most candid [police] interviews I’ve ever heard. She admitted to everything straight away. She needs help – she wants to get off the heroin. She’s co-operated with the police in every regard.”

Christine Trimby, chairwoman of the bench at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, said Moore would be sentenced at Newport Crown Court on October 31.

She added: “We feel our powers for sentence are not enough in this court.”

Moore was given an interim driving disqualification until the next court date, and was released on unconditional bail.