A WOMAN who has clocked up 68 offences has been praised by the courts for her behaviour since her latest sentencing earlier this year.

The progress made by Leanne Goldsmith, 29, of The Heights, Old Town, was recognised at a review at Swindon Crown Court yesterday, two months after she was given a two-year community order as well as a drug rehabilitation requirement.

Goldsmith was at the crown court in March accused of having shoplifted just days after her court appearance last August for a robbery in which a woman was stabbed.

At the case in March the court heard that Goldsmith had continued to use cocaine, despite being put on a drug rehabilitation requirement, and that she was still stealing.

But Susan Evans QC, who was hearing the case, said: “I had a look at your drug treatment testing progress review report. The positive thing is that you are now providing negative tests.

“I know you did not attend the last hearing of the review but on that day you did go to another session you were meant to go to, so that suggests you forgot about it.”

Despite Goldsmith’s progress in other areas, the court also heard that she will be back at Swindon Crown Court next week for breach proceedings where Recorder Ian Lawrie will hear the case.

“Looking at the overall progress report it seems pretty good,” said Miss Evans.

“However difficult it is you have got to put yourself first and make sure you do not put yourself in any jeopardy.

“From what I have read the order should continue. I am going to order another review in a month’s time, June 1. That is subject to the breach proceedings.

“Well done for what you have done so far and for the negative tests you have produced. Well done and keep it up.”

Goldsmith was given a suspended jail term last summer for her part in a robbery and was told by the judge she would face jail if she breached the order.

But, in March, Judge Lawrie scrapped the one-year suspended jail term passed in August and replaced it with a two-year community order as punishment for her latest crime.

At the time, Judge Lawrie said if she broke the two-year order, she would be jailed for longer than the one-year maximum for a suspended sentence.

He also told her that she would be under supervision for that time and would have to complete any programme probation recommended, as well as facing another drug rehabilitation requirement.

“I should be sending you to prison,” he said. “Not only do you commit an offence of robbery in the street with your mates with a weapon, then you go thieving from shops.”

Goldsmith was released on bail and is due to reappear in court for the breach next week.