A WOMAN fighting to overcome a drink and drugs addiction has been given a second chance, despite breaching a suspended prison sentence.

Sophie Eleanor Newman was given the nine-month sentence, suspended for two years, at Durham Crown Court, in August, after admitting a robbery offence, carried out at a Spanish restaurant in the city, on May 20.

The court heard she knocked at the El Coto, in Hallgarth Street, at 11.30am supposedly seeking to use a toilet on the premises.

Having been allowed in, she confronted the female restaurant assistant, who was behind the counter.

Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said Newman shouted: “The till, the till, the money.”

On being told the till was empty, she tried to grab the staff member’s mobile phone, leading to a scuffle between the two women.

But, when a male staff member came on the scene, alerted by the commotion, Newman turned and left the premises.

She then went to a nearby drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, where she embellished the incident, claiming she just robbed someone, after threatening them with a shard from a smashed bottle.

Joe Hedworth, mitigating, told the previous hearing her actions were, “a desperate cry for help”, as she was, as she was under the grip of a drug addiction and in need of medication.

Having been given the suspended sentence, with rehabilitation activity work supervised by the Probation Service, 24-year-old Newman, of North View, Bearpark, near Durham, was back at the court after admitting a shoplifting offence.

Mr Sabiston said she was arrested after leaving the Co-op store, in Bearpark, with meat and washing powder, worth £34.50, on December 13.

She told police she intended to sell the items for money to buy drink and drugs.

The court heard that since the offence she has been engaging with mental health and probation services.

Mr Hedworth said she began behavioural therapy work last month, but added that she was the subject of a recent serious assault, for which two people have been arrested, and from which she suffered serious leg injuries.

Judge Simon Hickey said he would give her one further chance by passing a one-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.

But she must return to court for monthly review hearings before the judge to ensure she is continuing to engage in the support work in the community.