'Last chance' for Coleraine woman who breached ASBO

A COLERAINE woman has been warned that she is on her 'last chance' after breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) and theft at last Wednesday's sitting of North Antrim Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that Laura Ann Hayes (34) of Weavers Court was in breach of the Order handed out for abuse of the 999 system after she was arrested at the Causeway Hospital on December 16 last year.

Police were called to the hospital after Hayes had been verbally abusing staff.

On the theft charge, the court heard that on July 7 last year staff at the Spar, Castlerock Road, had observed the defendant place four items, namely a sandwich, mushrooms, eggs and juice, totalling 5.85 into her handbag. Staff asked Hayes to come into the Manager's Office but she refused and left the store.

A solicitor said Hayes made a full admission once she was arrested but said that she could not remember the incident as she had been drinking heavily and on medication at the time.

Defence added that Hayes was making efforts to turn her life around and that the ASBO was having a positive effect on her behaviour.

District Judge, Mr Prenter, told Hayes that this was her 'last chance' as his initial thought was to hand out an immediate prison sentence. However he reconsidered after the accounts given by her solicitor and the Probation Board.

Hayes was put on probation for two years on both charges and must attend the Community Addiction Team and Mental Health Unit.