A PRISON-LOVING woman refused to pay for three late-night takeaways in a bid to get herself locked up.

Angela Hawkes, 45, ordered from three takeaways including a pizza shop and tandoori house.

But when it came to paying for the £50-plus of orders, she deliberately refused - knowing it would land her in court and a chance to be back behind bars.

Hawkes had her wish granted and Hartlepool magistrates sent her down for 14 days.

She arrived in the dock with her bags packed.

Her solicitor John Relton told the court: "It's an extremely sad state of affairs when one's client insists on being sent to prison.

"But she derives great benefit from the adult learning classes within prison and she also gets great solace from talking to prison listeners.

"Outside there's clearly nothing to compare with that."

But officials at the Prison Reform Trust hit out at Hawkes' jail sentence.

A spokesperson said: "Prison is not a hospital. It is not a last ditch resort for social services.

"It's meant to be there for serious and dangerous offenders. Most people would be troubled to hear of prison being used in cases that clearly are about someone's state of mind rather than their criminal behaviour."

Hawkes, of Furness Street, Hartlepool, admitted obtaining services dishonestly on January 6, this year. She asked for two similar offences to be taken into consideration.

This is not the first time that Hawkes has asked to be sent to prison. She was sentenced to 21 days in October 2005 and a further 14 days in August 2007 after pleading with magistrates on both occasions to lock her up.

Mr Relton said: "We are in this situation where if you come back with anything but prison she will not comply.

"She's entitled to draw to your attention to her unwillingness to pay a fine. She would refuse any unpaid work and likewise supervision.

"It's a bizarre situation, which is very unique."

Chairman of the bench Ian Devonshire sentenced Hawkes to 14 days in prison, but said she would be released after one week.