A drug addict who admitted having sex in public, stabbing a security guard with a needle and string of shoplifting offences has narrowly avoided an immediate prison.

Six months ago, Nicola Henderson was given a chance to turn her life around if she managed to stay out of trouble after admitting a catalogue of offences throughout last year when a judge gave her a deferred sentence.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 48-year-old’s most serious offence was when she stabbed a shop security guard with a needle when they tried to stop her shoplifting from a Stockton store.

A judge heard how the shop worker had been forced to change job due to the impact of Henderson’s attack in April last year.

Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said a security guard witnessed the offence and tried to stop her from leaving the store and it was at that point that she stabbed him with a needle.

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The court heard how the defendant was homeless at the time of the offending but how now found accommodation with the help and support of Stockton Borough Council.

Mr Bevan said Henderson admitted outraging public decency when she was spotted having sex in public and assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the needle attack.

Henderson, of Bridge Street, Stockton, also pleaded guilty to stealing £16.75 worth of alcohol from Sainsbury's in Middlesbrough, on July 14, last year and stealing household items to the value of £79.13, together with a male, from B&M in Redcar on December 17, last year.

Previously, the court heard that Henderson has 24 previous convictions for a range of crimes including fraud, theft and prostitution.

Judge Chris Smith was given an 18-month suspended sentence for the assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the attack on the security guard with concurrent sentences for the other charges.

Suspending the prison term for 18 months, the judge added: “With a bit of luck, you are moving on and away from all of this. You have been doing really well over the last few months and that is my aim, for you not to come back.”

The judge added: “While your life was clearly in chaos in July last year and you were out stealing again, you were also so intoxicated that you lost your sense of self and you were seen having sex in public.

“Last year wasn’t a good year at all.”

Henderson was also ordered to attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

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