‘Slapper’ gang woman guilty of knives charges

A woman once described by a judge as “an over-the-hill slapper” has found herself back in court – for carrying knives in the city centre.

The infamous description of Alison Raines, of Sturry Road, hit national headlines in 2008 following her conviction for drunkenly mugging a man in Canterbury.

And city magistrates heard this week the 49-year-old had been unable to turn her life around since her release from prison.

Prosecutor Paul Edwards told how CCTV cameras had captured a disturbance outside Mcdonald’s in St George’s Street on May 28 this year.

As police approached former drug user Raines she immediately took a knife out of her pocket and put it in a bin.

Officers arrested her and discovered she was carrying another kitchen-style knife.

Both knives had blades of about four inches.

Mr Edwards said: “She had been walking around with the knives, but claimed in interview that she had no idea how they got there.

“She said she did not leave the house with them, but had been drinking heavily and could not remember anything upon waking up in police custody.”

Raines admitted possessing bladed articles in public.

She became infamous in 2008 when judge Timothy Nash described her and two female codefendants as “a bunch of overthe-hill slappers” after they were convicted of mugging a man in Canterbury.

Raines was jailed for her part in the robbery.

Hugh Roberts, defending, told city magistrates that Raines had a history of drug abuse, which had been replaced by alcohol misuse.

“She has no recollection of what happened that night and she certainly did not set out from her house with the knives,” Mr Roberts said.

“She does not carry knives and this was uncharacteristic behaviour.

“This lady may have become excessively intoxicated as a result of her drink being spiked.”

Magistrates gave Raines a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

She must also do 15 days’ intensive drink rehabilitation as part of six months’ treatment.