Drug thief given second chance after tooth trouble

Amanda Barnes, 36, of Smith Street, was convicted of two counts of theft at Mansfield Magistrates Court on February 1.

The thefts were committed while Barnes was serving a suspended sentence imposed on January 15 at Nottingham Crown Court.

Catherine Picardo, mitigating, told Nottingham Crown Court that Barnes was unable to attend a meeting for a pre-sentence report on February 22 because she was suffering from a problems with her wisdom teeth, as well as depression.

Ms Picardo said: “She is attending New Directions, a drug support group in Mansfield. It is simply regrettable that she didn’t make the initial assessment.”

The court heard Barnes was a single parent who was currently taking subutex, a synthetic drug used for the treatment of heroin addiction.

Recorder Peter Cooke granted Barnes the chance to attend a new drug assessment on April 7, but warned her: “The fact that I am allowing you another opportunity to get a pre-sentence report is no indication of the severity of the sentence you will receive.

“You have already missed one chance to a get a pre-sentence report. This is your last chance.”