Breached ASBO after FIVE days

Published on 14th December 2006 in News

A drug addict who breached her anti-social-behaviour order within five days of its being imposed has been given a suspended prison sentence by magistrates this week.

Victoria Louise Whiteley (26), of Couper Grove in Old Goole, appeared in custody before Goole Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Miss Whiteley had been due before the court tomorrow, December 15, to be sentenced for three charges of theft to which she pleaded guilty last month. However, her sentencing was brought forward after she was arrested after yet another shoplifting spree.

At Tuesday's hearing Miss Whiteley pleaded guilty to three new charges of theft and one of attempted theft. The first theft took place on November 19 - only five days after she was given her post-conviction ASBO.

Miss Whiteley also admitted five breaches of her ASBO. The order bans Miss Whiteley from entering a large number of shops in Goole's town centre, but she admitted to entering five of these shops, including Lidl, Boots and Argos, last week.

Prosecutor Jeremy Evans, who is also the Crown Prosecution Service ASBO co-ordinator for Humberside, told the court that Miss Whiteley's 24 theft convictions had led to the imposition of the anti-social-behaviour order, which is to last for five years.

Defending, Mr David Branscombe told the court that the purpose of all the thefts was to steal things that his client could sell to get money to buy drugs.

He said that Miss Whiteley had a long-standing drug problem which spanned six years.

Mr Branscombe explained to the court that when Miss Whiteley appeared before the court last month and pleaded guilty to the three original theft charges she consented to the ASBO, despite the fact that she was receiving no help for her drug addiction.

Mr Branscombe said: "The flesh is weak and after three days without heroin she was craving and went out and committed these new offences.

"She is intelligent and was brought into the drugs scene by others. She has a partner who she lives with. She wants to get off drugs and for them make a future together.

"Sending her to prison today will not solve the problem. She wants help, she wants a drug rehabilitation programme.

"Her offending is directly linked to the drugs. Dealing with one will surely solve the other.

"I admit custody is a realistic option, but not today."

In sentencing, presiding magistrate Mr Ray Sampson, said: "You have had other opportunities in the past to address your drug problem but you have not taken advantage of them.

"Be absolutely certain in your mind that if you breach this court order again you will almost certainly go to prison.

"Take this chance, it's probably your last one."

For all matters, Miss Whiteley was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for one year. During this suspended year she has been ordered to complete a supervision and drug rehabilitation order.

The anti-social-behaviour order will continue until the five-year period is over.

Miss Whiteley was released from custody and allowed to walk free from court. However, she will return on January 9 for the first review of her drug rehabilitation order.

* Speaking after the case Mr Jeremy Evans, the Crown Prosecution Service ASBO co-ordinator for Humberside, said: "This ASBO is in place to protect the public. There are four breaches of this order by just entering the shops named in the order.

"The bench have today given her an opportunity by sentencing her to five months' custody, suspended for one year.

"If there is a further breach then custody is likely - in that regard the ASBO can be judged as an effective protection to this community."