Heroin addict (34) given six months in jail

A drug addict whom social workers feared was “going to kill herself” has been jailed for six months at Perth Sheriff Court.

Career criminal Joanne Mayor, whose record of previous convictions stretches back 16 years, was given the jail term after stealing £88 from a Perth takeaway restaurant.

The court heard that she was on three bail orders at the time.

At a previous court hearing she sobbed as she admitted to the sheriff she had concerns she “could end up dead” because of her heroin dependency.

Depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston said the 34-yearold is currently subject to a Community Payback Order.

But those supervising her were “extremely concerned” for her welfare.

“She has been turning up for appointments but has been turned away because of her condition,” explained the fiscal.

“Their perception is that the way she is going she’s going to kill herself because of her drug intake.”

Mayor, formerly of Crieff but now living in Greyfriars House, Princes Street, Perth, admitted stealing the cash from Sizzlers Chicken Hut, just yards from the hostel, on October 23. She was subject to September 2 and October 5 and 10 bail orders at the time.

Solicitor Abby McMurtrie said the accused was a heroin addict but asked that she be granted bail meantime.

She had a job interview in the pipeline and wanted to be at liberty to attend that.

Her last breach of bail was in August 2014 and she would be willing to adhere to any special conditions, the court was told.

But Sheriff William Wood, who conceded she didn’t have her “difficulties to seek,” noted she was subject to the three bail orders.

“It seems to me, in these circumstances, the public has to be protected. You are not going to be at liberty to carry out further offences until the court decides how best to deal with the matter.”

Mayor had been remanded in custody while reports were prepared and was handed down the prison term when she appeared for sentence.