A WOMAN has been put behind bars after refusing to comply with a curfew because she wanted to be out drinking and taking drugs.

Laura McGrady, 37, accumulated more than 16 hours of curfew violations between May 21 and May 24 and failed to provide evidence to excuse the violations.

The defendant had been given a community order at Workington Magistrates’ Court on April 8 after assaulting a police officer in Whitehaven on January 10. She had kicked out at the officer while under arrest for being drunk and disorderly.

A probation officer told the court that it was McGrady’s second breach of the order. The defendant had been sentenced for the first breach and that evening, went on to breach the order again.

The court heard that McGrady had ‘no intention of complying’ because she wanted to go out in the evenings to drink and do drugs.

She was not suitable for alcohol abstinence and monitoring due to her alcohol dependency and she already had a ‘significant’ fines account, the court was told.

McGrady had a number of rehabilitation activity requirement days outstanding but her engagement in rehabilitation was described as ‘superficial’.

The defendant, of Main Street, Distington, admitted failing to comply with the requirements of a community order.  

John Cooper, defending, said: “It’s a difficult one. I’ve dealt with her for many years.

“She said when the curfew was imposed, there would be difficulties. Compliance is higher than I expected.

“She has struggled with the curfew. She is still struggling with alcohol. She is getting quite a lot of help from Recovery Steps at the moment.”

Passing sentence, Charlotte Wood, chair of the magistrates panel, said there had been a ‘wilful and persistent’ failure to comply with the community order.

McGrady was sentenced to six weeks in custody.