South Yorkshire solvent-abuser gets "one more chance" or she faces jail

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court – sitting at Sheffield Crown Court – heard on June 1 how Samantha Gerrard, aged 31, of Ferham Close, Meadowbank, Rotherham, was seen in public by a passer-by with aerosol canisters near Park Lane, Thrybergh, Rotherham, on May 31.

Gerrard is prohibited by a CRIMBO from possessing aerosol canisters and was just made subject to a suspended prison sentence on May 30 for a third breach of the CRIMBO.

District Judge Naomi Redhouse told Gerrard: “You get one more chance. I am not optimistic. If the only way to stop you using the cans is to put you in custody that will happen.”

Kirsty Pearson, prosecuting, said a member of the public reported seeing Gerrard acting strangely while consuming some of the contents from aerosol canisters.

She added when Gerrard was approached by police they saw partially-empty aerosol canisters and the defendant appeared inebriated.

Ms Pearson confirmed the offence was the fourth breach of Gerrard’s CRIMBO.

Gerrard admitted breaching the CRIMBO and admitted breaching the suspended sentence order.

Ross Wagstaff, defending, said Gerrard has a drug addiction which is linked to her solvent abuse but she has been making progress and her mother wishes to support her.

Gerrard was sentenced to a community order with a 28-day curfew and the rehabilitation requirement days on her suspended sentence were extended to 20 days. She must pay a £95 victim surcharge.