20-year-old avoids prison sentence.

A Honiton woman who has continually failed to comply with court orders has been given one last chance to change her ways or face going to prison.

Victoria Louise Williams, of George Street, appeared at Central Devon Magistrates’ Court in Exeter last Wednesday for sentencing.

The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to multiple breaches of an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO), between October 14 and November 26, and causing criminal damage.

On October 14 and 15 and again on November 6 she was found in breach of her ASBO when she was seen socialising with a person whom she is prohibited from associating with at The Orange Tree.

And again on November 9 when she was found acting in an anti-social manner at Tesco in Honiton. She also caused criminal damage to a fire extinguisher at the supermarket’s petrol station by emptying its contents.

The court heard that many of the breaches occurred when Williams was in the company of this named individual.

Rachel Bentley, defending, said that being unable to socialise with one of her friends had been difficult for Williams.

She said: “What has been difficult for the defendant is having no contact with her best friend. It is difficult to understand when you are a young person why you can’t have contact with your best friend.”

Williams also admitted breaching a conditional discharge and failing to comply with the requirements of a community order after not attending meetings with the probation service.

The chairman of the bench, Liz Low, said: “You have given us a hard time.

“For the number of breaches, you really should be going to prison.

“It is extraordinary how you got away with so many breaches and all the things you have done.

“However, we are going to give you one very last chance. You realise if you breach anything or do anything at all wrong you can be fairly certain you will go to prison.

“I am not sure you really do understand – so many times in the past you have been told these things and gone off and been stupid.”

Williams was given a six month suspended sentence for two years, a two year supervision order and was ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

Mrs Low added: “Make sure you do absolutely nothing wrong. It is up to you – if you do you will be in prison.”