Woman found in possession of a machete spared prison

A WOMAN has avoided being sent to prison after she was found in possession of a machete.

Shanice Simpson pleaded guilty to having the weapon on her in Coventry on September 17.

As well as admitting the machete offence, the 26-year-old also pleaded guilty to damaging two vehicles on the same date. Following her guilty pleas, Simpson, of Robin Hood

Road, Willenhall, was handed a five-month prison sentence which was suspended for 18 months.

She was also made subject to a restraining order and ordered to pay £185 court costs and a £122 victim surcharge. Other cases heard at Coventry Magistrates’ Court between October 14 and 15 included: Dean Powers, 40, of Limbrick Avenue, Tile Hill, admitted stealing food stock worth £3,945 from Brakes

Foodservice at Cross Point Business Park as a trespasser.

He was given a community order including 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation.

Gatis Runska, 40, of Kirkdale Avenue, Holbrooks, admitted drink-driving in Lauderdale Avenue/Kirkdale Avenue (breath 124, limit 35), driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

He was banned from driving for three years, given a community order including an alcohol treatment requirement and a six-month curfew with an electronic tag from 7pm7am and ordered to pay £135 costs and a £90 surcharge.

Callum Hyde, 31, of Torrington Avenue, Tile Hill, admitted taking a vehicle without consent, failing to answer bail and failing to comply with requirements of community order.

He was sent to prison for 12 weeks (four weeks for new offences and eight weeks to replace original community order) and ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.

Aaron Carver-Smith, 41, of Crescent Avenue, Stoke, admitted dishonestly making off without paying £332 for goods (food and drink).

He was given a community order including 75 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £83 compensation.

Julie Gough, 38, of Crescent Avenue, Stoke, admitted dishonestly making off without paying £332 for goods.

She was ordered to pay £83 compensation and £80 court costs.

Jason Wood, 48, of Blount Road, Thurmanston, was found guilty in his absence of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour towards a police officer, two counts of assaulting a police officer and failing to answer bail.

He was handed an eightweek prison sentence suspended for a year and ordered to pay a total of £250 compensation.

Ryan Whelan, 21, of Adleiade Street, Hillfields, admitted possession of cannabis and possession of a knuckle duster in a public place.

He was handed a fourmonth prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay £185 court costs and a £122 victim surcharge.