Woman with a string of offences on last warning

A curfew-breaker has been warned she faces jail if she flouts strict rules again.

Stacey McLaughlin, 22, disappeared after being told to remain indoors after dark.

She was slapped with the nighttime street ban after repeatedly being lifted by police.

McLaughlin admitted breaching a slew of orders at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Prosecutor Mark Nicol told how she was nabbed after sneaking out. He said:“The accused was released on bail from Paisley Sheriff Court.

“There were special conditions that she remain at her bail address between 10pm and 7am.

“Police on uniform mobile patrol were carrying out curfew checks.

“They went to the house, pressed the buzzer, gained entry to the close and made their way to her door.

“They were told by a witness that she had not returned all day and she did not expect her to return.”

McLaughlin was caught away from home after the routine check in February.

She had been ordered to be inside in exchange for being bailed by the court.

It is the second time she has breached curfew rules.

McLaughlin has also been rapped for ignoring a ban to keep out of Paisley’s Canal Street.

The block was put in place last year – but she was caught there twice just weeks later.

Defence lawyer Rhona Lynch insisted her client had tried to keep out of trouble but struggled with addiction.

She said:“Ms McLaughlin had been residing with a friend and had an argument with her.

“She left the flat but she didn’t contact my office.

“If she had done that, she might not have found herself in this position.

“She spent a night in custody for this.

“She’s a young woman with very little family support and struggles with life in the community.

“She’s a vulnerable young woman due to issues in her past.

“I told her she needs to apply herself 100 per cent because any other offending could result in her going to custody.”

Sheriff Tom McCartney revealed he had considered locking McLaughlin up.

He said:“When I was given the papers and saw that you have had seven different cases, I very much had that in mind. Unfortunately, you were probably a young person offending so frequently, there could be little option but to impose a custodial sentence.

“I have read everything and heard what has been said and come to a different view.

“I do see positive indicators and I think it’s worthwhile moving forward, rather than imposing a prison sentence.

“You are in a very difficult situation. There comes a point where there’s no option but to impose sentences of imprisonment.”

McLaughlin, of Byres Crescent, has been placed under supervision and told to return for a review in December.