Serial offender gets herself arrested

SERIAL offender Jodi Offord threw beer over a security guard and smashed bottles of drink on the floor because she wanted to get arrested again.

Offord, 20, of Schreiber Road in Ipswich, admitted causing criminal damage, assaulting a security guard, being drunk and disorderly and possessing cannabis resin. Despite her youth Offord has already committed more that 50 offences.

Adele Cook, prosecuting, told Ipswich magistrates that Offord had tried to enter the Co-op Foodstores in Queen's Way, Ipswich, last Saturday.

But when told she was told she could not enter with a cigarette, Offord became abusive, threw beer over the security guard and ran down the aisle knocking bottles to the floor.

She then lay down at the back of the store until the police arrived.

On being searched at the police station, Offord was also found to have cannabis resin.

Roger Thompson, mitigating for Offord, said: "When Ms Offord has been drinking, she goes out and makes a nuisance of herself with the deliberate intention of getting herself arrested. It is quite a complex issue."

Offord, who is already subject to a 12-month community rehabilitation order, wants to turn her life around.

In a statement, read by Mr Thompson before the magistrates, she said: "I have been in court enough.

"I have punished myself so much. All I want is for everything to stop and be normal.

"I never want to be arrested and stand in another courtroom again."

Offord was sentenced to a six-month community rehabilitation order, which will run concurrently with her existing order.

She was also ordered to pay £30 in compensation to the Co-op.

In July Offord also pleaded to magistrates in Ipswich for help so she could lead a normal life.

At the time Offord admitted seven charges including three counts of criminal damage, two charges of thefts from shops, drunk and disorderly and possession of cannabis. Offord was given a ten-week prison sentence for these offences. She had previously been convicted 45 times.