Yeovil woman who breached ASBO for 10th time now ‘making great strides forward with her life’

from the article in the Western Gazette:

Magistrates were told that a Yeovil woman who admitted breaching an Anti Social Behaviour Order for the tenth time was now making great strides forward with her life.

Darcy Phoenix was charged with the offence after being found in the Tesco car park in Yeovil using the store’s cashpoint machine, a place which she is banned from entering during night time hours.

However when she appeared in court and admitted the offence the magistrates said they were impressed after hearing she was tackling her alcohol problem, co-operating with the Probation Service and instigating a restorative justice programme so she can apologise to the victims of her crimes.

….Defending solicitor Chris Ivory said it was a “bittersweet” experience representing Phoenix in court as she was doing so well at the moment in terms of dealing with the main contributing factor that had brought her to court many times, and that was alcohol.

He said: “She has abstained for drinking for four months now and remained out of trouble for that time.

“She has wanted to engage in the Restorative Justice programme and it has been hard getting people to the table but she hopes this will be sorted very soon.

“Since September last year there have been six convictions on her record compared to the same time the previous year where there were 20 offences committed in the space of 12 months.

“This shows her conviction in trying to change her ways and she is also doing some voluntary work at some local stables.”

Probation officer Mo Lawton said that Phoenix was doing “incredibly well” since being released from prison on licence and seemed to be focused on changing her lifestyle.

“She is totally committed to refraining from offending and has changed her mobile phone number so past associates cannot contact her,” she said.

She added that the defendant had completed a health and safety course and was engaging in other Probation programmes.

Chairman of the magistrates, Catherine Williams told Phoenix that they were very impressed with her progress.

“It seems as if you are actually turned the corner which is fantastic news and you have been taking positive steps to change your lifestyle,” she said.

They fined her £20 and ordered her to pay a £180 court charge and a £20 victim surcharge but did not impose any costs.

Read the whole article.