A recovering drug addict has been spared jail after breaching a suspended sentence for theft.
Nicola Coggin, 35, of Templeway Square, Caythorpe, admitted two counts of theft at Grantham Magistrates Court today (Monday).
Kate Hartley, prosecuting, said Coggin stole a Gillette razor from a Boots store and Lynx deodorant and body wash from a Poundstretcher store in Grantham on February 11.
Mrs Hartley told the court that Coggin told police she intended to sell the goods to fund her drug habit.
The court heard Coggin had been given a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, on February 6 for three thefts and breach of a restraining order.
The latest thefts put her in breach of that sentence.
Defending, Chris Pye-Smith said Coggin had a serious drug addiction which she funded by stealing.
She had been in an unstable condition when she was given the suspended sentence, was homeless and was obviously using drugs.
Mr Pye-Smith told the court that activation of the sentence and the resulting 12-week jail term would undo the progress Coggin had made since February.
He said Coggin had shown significant improvement and had found accommodation in Caythorpe, visiting Grantham only to pick up her methadone prescription.
Coggin had been receiving support from the Addaction counselling service and was given a negative drugs test for the first time in many months on Thursday last week.
Mr Pye-Smith said: “The change of where she lives has made a real change to her and she is determined to keep it that way.”
The court also heard Coggin had accepted bereavement counselling for the first time following the death of her husband.
Magistrate Ros Gulson decided not to activate Coggin’s suspended sentence. She extended the Addaction treatment by a further month and imposed a 7pm to 7am curfew for 14 days.
Mrs Gulson said: “I hope you take hope from the reported negative so far and now move to build on that.”
Coggin was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60.
LOOK OUT FOR FULL COVERAGE OF GRANTHAM MAGISTRATES’ COURT IN THIS FRIDAY’S GRANTHAM JOURNAL.