A 24-year-old woman who has committed more than 20 offences collapsed in the dock at Bath Magistrates’ Court after being sentenced to a total of 26 weeks in jail.
On Wednesday 17th December, District Judge Lynne Matthews resentenced Yasmin Harwood for a series of thefts from shops and assaults as she had breached a community order.
But before the judge could clarify that she was going to suspend Harwood’s sentence for 18 months, the defendant began wailing and fell to the floor.
The mother-of-three has been battling a drug problem but had been clean for two months, the court heard.
Previously of Julian House shelter in Bath, but now living in Peasedown St John, Harwood was also ordered to complete up to 30 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
Her sentence included a fine of £200 for breaching a two-year community behaviour order, which bans her from any premises within a mapped exclusion zone in the city, and from any shop from which she has a specific written ban.
Harwood thanked District Judge Matthews for suspending the jail sentence, which will be imposed if she offends again.
Harwood assured the judge: “I won’t offend again. I am literally done with this life.”
