She did not complete a single one of the rehabilitation days that she was ordered to do after being a given a suspended prison sentence
Rachael Robinson, pictured outside Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A drug-taking woman had been using “a £10 bag of heroin a day and crack cocaine on top” after she narrowly managed to avoid prison for a burglary offence. Rachael Robinson did not complete a single one of the rehabilitation days that she was ordered to do after being a given an 18-month suspended prison sentence, Hull Crown Court heard.
Robinson, 34, of Durham Street, off Holderness Road, east Hull, was brought before the court in custody for breaching the suspended sentence. She admitted failing to attend for probation service appointments on March 16, 22 and 23 and on April 5.
Natalie Dean, prosecuting, said that the suspended sentence was imposed, with 30 days’ rehabilitation, on February 11 after Robinson admitted burglary in David Lister Drive, east Hull, on July 30 last year. The burglary involved stealing a strimmer, lawnmower battery, clothes, household items, food and toiletries, the court heard previously.
Robinson failed to attend for the rehabilitation days. “No acceptable evidence or explanation was given,” said Miss Dean. “None of the 30 days’ rehabilitation has been completed.”
Samantha Laws, mitigating, said that Robinson realised that the suspended sentence could be activated. She had suffered problems, had been homeless and she had suffered ongoing drugs issues that dated back to her childhood.
“Her offending is largely marked by drug use or attempting to fund drug use,” said Miss Laws. Robinson had been jailed for two years in 2020 for robbery, involving her threatening somebody in a shop with a needle.
“There have been times when she has managed to abstain from drug use,” said Miss Laws. Robinson had recently been using “a £10 bag of heroin a day and crack cocaine on top”.
She had, at one stage, been considering doing a creative writing course at the University of Hull but, because of other issues, she did not take this up. “She wants to make changes and she is in the early infancy of doing so,” said Miss Laws.
“She has been so addicted to drugs for so long.” Robinson told the court: “I am on one bag a day.” She had been arrested and put into custody a couple of days before being brought before the court.
She said of her time in prison: “I don’t want to go back.” She promised to make efforts to complete the rehabilitation days.
The case was adjourned for eight weeks until July 21 for her to show that she can do this. She faces a prison sentence if she does not comply.
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