A woman who breached a probation order after she was found by police with a syringe of heroin has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Court heard the 34-year-old had received the order for her involvement in the fraud of £6,000 from an injured party.
Elizabeth Marks, of Alfred Terrace, Dollingstown appeared for sentencing on possession of a Class A drug and two counts of breaching a community-based order at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined previously that on August 28, police were called to an ongoing fight on Glenmachan Road in Portadown.
Officers arrived to find four persons in the area, two of whom were males with head injuries.
All individuals were arrested and during a search a syringe of heroin and an unknown tablet were found on the defendant.
During an interview at Lurgan Custody Suite, Marks made admissions identifying the contents of the syringe as heroin and the tablet as a painkiller.
Defence solicitor Philip Reid stated: “Her heroin addiction is what fed into the breach of probation, to which her attendance had been less than sporadic.
“She is pregnant and is due to give birth in August. She was given probation for a very serious matter involving £6,000 worth of fraud.”
He continued: “In that case, police took the view that other persons were controlling her; CCTV showed her lodging the injured party’s cheques at various banks but there was another person present.
“She was admitted to hospital in February for pneumonia and was as a result referred to St Luke’s and has already attended her first appointment.”
District Judge Amanda Brady said: “She is obviously not suitable for community penalties and these are serious matters.”
The community order was revoked and Marks was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 18 months.
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