A YOUNG woman who failed to take her chance of a suspended prison sentence has been locked up.

Kimberley Dixon wept as she was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment at Mold Crown Court yesterday.

Dixon, 21, of Trelawny Square in Flint, was told the courts had “bent over backwards” to help her but she had simply failed to take her chances.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said Dixon first received a suspended sentence at Caernarfon Crown Court in July of last year for a criminal damage charge.

“The court gave you a chance and instead of sending your to prison you received a two month sentence, suspended for 12 months,” Judge Rowlands said.

She had been ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work.

Dixon breached the order in September of last year and was fined.

When she appeared for a second breach last month, a judge gave her another chance.

He adjourned the hearing to give her an opportunity to comply with the order.

But since that time she had been offered three appointments to do 21 hours, but had kept one appointment and completed only seven hours.

Judge Rowlands said she was doing herself and others a disservice.

The courts would be less likely to offer people the chance of a non-custodial alternative if orders were simply ignored, he said.

“The courts have bent over backwards to avoid sending you to prison,” he said. “The court is no longer able to do so.”

Barrister Brett Williamson, prosecuting, said the probation service took the view there was no alternative but to implement the suspended sentence.

Defence barrister Simon Parry said Dixon had made some efforts but it was conceded it was not enough.

She was prepared to continue working with the order.

Dixon had issues and on occasions had difficulty sleeping. She had simply been unable to attend appointments.

Mr Parry suggested the court could impose a tagged curfew to mark the latest breach.