By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 09:59, Saturday, 07 July 2012

A heavily pregnant Whitehaven woman has had her prison sentence reduced – to allow her to prove she can be a good mother.

Alexandra Taylor, of Fleswick Avenue, Woodhouse, had appeared before West Cumbria magistrates on Wednesday, where she admitted breaching an anti-social behaviour order.

The order had been imposed in April following a string of shop-lifting offences around the town. It prevented the 28-year-old from entering any premise in Whitehaven which is part of the Shopwatch Scheme.

Magistrates jailed Taylor for 60 days for the breach, and also activated a suspended 180-day prison sentence, to be served concurrently.

She appeared at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday for a swift appeal against the sentence, as the court heard she is due to give birth to a baby girl in three days.

Alan Lovett, prosecuting, said: “A police officer arrested Miss Taylor in the Tesco store, and she admitted breaching the order, but said she was hungry.

“In interview she accepted she knew about the ASBO and its conditions, but said she entered because she thought the shops in King Street weren’t part of it.”

The court heard Taylor had 35 convictions for 67 offences, mainly of dishonesty and shop-lifting, although she had spent time in prison for robbery.

Alison Whalley, defending, said the appellant was due to give birth on Tuesday to her first child.

Miss Whalley said Taylor’s late incarceration meant there were no mother and baby units available in prison. So, if she gave birth while in custody, Taylor would see the child every other day for five days, and then not again until she was released from prison.

The appeal was heard by Judge Barbara Forrester.

Giving her ruling, Judge Forrester said: “When you were before magistrates, they imposed upon you the sentence in respect of the breach and imposed the suspended sentence to run concurrently.

“I can see technically nothing wrong with the decision the magistrates took... we do not criticise them for their decision.”

She continued: “However, your appearance before us today had given us an opportunity to reconsider the situation.

“What concerns us is the period of separation inflicted if this prison sentence were to run."

Judge Forrester ruled that no sentence would be imposed in relation to the suspended sentence – which would remain in place – and Taylor will serve 56 days for the ASBO breach, minus the three days in custody. She will serve half of that time, allowing her the opportunity to prove herself while giving her a chance to be with her child.

First published at 08:56, Saturday, 07 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk