Woman who attacked with rhubarb needs psychiatric help - solicitor

Margaret Porter, of Tofts Farm, Newbiggin, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, was at Northallerton Magistrates Court to plead guilty to two breaches of a criminal anti-social behaviour order (Crasbo).

The six-year order was imposed in March after evidence was compiled about her behaviour, which included making late-night phone calls, accusing a local farmer of being a cat-killer and throwing three sticks of rhubarb at her brother - an act which led to a conviction for common assault.

The order bans her from behaving in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to neighbours and family members.

Yesterday 51-year-old Porter, who is said to suffer from a paranoid personality disorder, admitted breaching the Crasbo by harassing her son's partner, Louise Handley and neighbour Marie Winspeare.

Her solicitor, David Scourfield urged the magistrates to adjourn sentencing so she could be seen by a psychiatrist.

He said: "If the answer to every piece of anti-social behaviour was to wave a big stick, the crime situation could be sorted out tomorrow.

"I did think it appropriate that a psychiatric view should be undertaken, but going back in the proceedings, Mrs Porter did not feel that she was at the stage where she needed that sort of help.

"I have now been able to obtain Mrs Porter's consent and agreement to going to see a psychiatrist.

"She is quite happy to go along and see if she can be given any help."

Magistrates agreed to adjourn the case for 28 days for psychiatric reports to be prepared, but chair of the bench, Colin Brown, warned Porter that she could face jail if she breached the Crasbo again.

He said: "This is very, very serious. You are on the brink of going to prison. I cannot lay this down strongly enough."

Porter is banned from entering Newbiggin as part of her bail conditions and will stay with friends in Wensley, near Leyburn until she is sentenced on June 23.