A WOMAN accused of begging and pointing her epi-pen at members of the public was too ill to attend court.

Jade Rogers, 30, of Harding Street, had been due before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon to answer allegations she breached a community protection notice, stole a Maybeline container from Wilko and was in possession of heroin, methadone and cannabis.

But she failed to turn up, telling her probation officer that she would be unable to attend court. Lesley Shannon-Lowe, the duty probation officer at the magistrates’ court, told District Judge Joanna Dickens: “She sounded very unwell on the phone. She sent her apologies, but she won’t be able to appear today.”

The judge bailed Rogers to return to court on October 14.

The woman is accused of breaching a community protection notice, an order issued by the police. In particular she is said to have flouted requirements stopping her from asking people for money, food or other items, harassing members of the public with personal stories until they feel forced to give her food or money, and pointing or holding her epi-pen towards people she has approached.