AN ALCOHOLIC who has been fined and imprisoned for repeatedly breaching her Asbo ‘cannot possibly’ abide by the order, according to her brief.

Homeless Deborah Morris, 51, who previously lived in Nythe, has spent two terms in prison over the last six months and has been issued a number of fines, despite having no income or benefit support.

Morris was arrested again on Saturday evening after being found drunk in a doorway on Edmund Street, and now has an additional £200 to pay the courts.

Michelle Hewitt, prosecuting, told Swindon magistrates: “The defendant has an Asbo made in this court on December 12 last year, with a number of prohibitions made to address ongoing anti-social behaviour.

“One of those conditions is not to be drunk in any street or public place in the borough of Swindon, and there are others relating to disorderly behaviour.

"On Saturday evening this defendant breached the order when police officers attended Edmund Street at around 9.30pm to reports of a person being collapsed in a doorway.

“The ambulance also attended and ensured the defendant was fit to be detained. She was arrested and clearly drunk, having difficulty standing up. There have been a number of breaches of this order which aggravate this offence.

“Her previous convictions run to a total of 18 pages, and this order has been breached a number of times since December last year, which include a 20-week sentence in February.”

Terry McCarthy, defending, said: “She is an alcoholic and has no money of her own. She is trying to claim ESA following her release from custody.

“Her benefits were suspended and she has got to get the appropriate medical evidence.

“What concerns me about this case is the order has various terms. She had been living in Nythe, and when new neighbours came there were some difficulties.

“She now cannot go where she has lived for 20 years, and where most of her belongings are. In one breach she had gone there because it was pouring with rain and she needed some shelter.

“There is another condition not to go to Swindon town centre.

"The order is one she cannot possibly deal with. She is not allowed to go where she has been living or drink in a public place when she is an alcoholic. This is now her third day in custody.”

Morris was fined £100 for breaching her Asbo, which counted was paid by time served in custody. She was also issued a £20 victim surcharge and faces criminal court costs of £180.