A drug addict who has preyed on her long-suffering mother to fund her addiction remains behind bars having robbed her of cash for the second time.

Ashlea Pinder was made subject of a restraining order to keep away from her mother’s home, in Seaham, for three years, as part of a suspended prison sentence order, imposed at Durham Crown Court, in July 2020.

It followed her admission to a charge of robbery having taken £40 from her mother’s purse before pushing her out of the way and fleeing her house, in April that year.

The judge sentencing her conceded he was, “taking a risk” in suspending the 20-month prison term, for two years, and imposing a drug rehabilitation order.

Read more: Defendant pledges to remain drug free in plea to judge

But Pinder was back before the same judge in December 2020, having breached the restraining order by turning up at her mother’s home, causing a commotion in her quest for more money for heroin, and then assaulting police officers arresting her after being called to the house.

On that appearance. she was given a total 15-month, immediate, prison sentence.

But Pinder returned to custody after robbing her mother of a further £40 and her mobile phone in August last year, only a week after her release from the previous sentence.

It followed a struggle in which she pushed her mother down on the sofa.

Since her latest arrest the, now, 31-year-old defendant, of no fixed abode, has remained in custody at Low Newton Women’s Prison, near Durham.

She denied charges of robbery and acting in breach of a restraining order, at a hearing at the court in September, but on the day of her scheduled trial today (Wednesday January 11), she changed her pleas to guilty.

Samuel Ponniah, prosecuting, said later on the evening of the latest crime, Pinder offered to hand herself in at the home of a neighbour of her mother, and did so, having also returned her phone.

The court was told it took her offence tally to 94, from 44 convictions, mostly low-level shoplifting crimes to fund her heroin addiction.

Read more: Woman breached order by causing a nuisance at mother's home

Mr Ponniah read from the victim statement of Pinder’s mother in which she said she did care for and love her daughter.

But she added that she found it hurtful as a decent and vulnerable woman, being in ill-health, how her daughter had treated and used her.

Neil Bennett, in mitigation, said when in custody, and not using drugs, Pinder had made progress and presented as a more healthy and cogent individual.

Backed by agencies supporting her while in prison she has managed to reduce her methadone script in the hope that she may become drug-free upon her eventual release.

Recorder Jonathan Sandiford KC asked Mr Bennett if it was felt the defendant could made a drug rehabilitation order in the community work, if she was to be released under a suspended sentence, having spent the last five months in custody.

But, following consultation with his client, Mr Bennett told the Recorder it may be setting her up to fail.

"Having spoken to her, she is fully aware of how arduous a drug rehabilitation requirement is and she doesn’t feel she’s in a position to take the opportunity.

“It’s too soon to do so.

“She’s looking for long-term help and that might come at the price of further time in custody.”

Read next:

               Aycliffe drug user 'lost control' as mother refused him drug money

               Addict stole from gran to pay drug debts

               Houghton crack cocaine addict stole Harley Davidson during crime spree

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Recorder Sandiford said he, “admired her honesty”, adding: “It would have been easier for her to grab the opportunity and it won’t be held against her.”

Imposing a 20-month prison sentence, he expressed the hope she can successfully recover from her addiction and make her peace with her mother in future.

But, in the meantime, the existing restraining order remains in place.