A WOMAN who has breached a court order more than a dozen times has been put behind bars.

Samantha Phythian, of Maes Seion in Prestatyn, was produced in custody at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 33-year-old admitted that on Wednesday (January 17) she breached her criminal behaviour order (CBO).

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that the CBO was imposed in May 2022 for a period of two years.

The restrictions it placed on her were not to enter a specific address in Holywell High Street, not to use or encourage others to use foul or abusive words or behaviour and not to drink alcohol from an open container in any public place in North Wales unless in licenced premises.

On the day of the offence, she breached all three of those after police were informed about her being outside the prohibited address in Holywell.

She was spotted going inside and also had an open beer can in her hand.

When police approached Phythian and arrested her, she responded with a torrent of foul abuse.

Ms Jackson said since the CBO was imposed, Phythian has breached it on no less than 13 occasions and has received various punishments from the courts ranging from community orders to suspended sentences and even immediate prison sentences.

Rhyl Journal: Samantha Phythian (NWP)Samantha Phythian (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)The prosecutor explained she had been in court on the defendant's last two appearances - on January 10 and 16 - both of which were for breaching the CBO.

Those hearings left her with a pair of suspended sentences hanging over her after the court opted not to activate them - but extended their operational period to the maximum of two years instead.

That left the Magistrates on Thursday with few sentencing options.

Alex Fitzgerald, defending, told the court: "I have to concede that there comes a point where it becomes unreasonable to ask the court to look at alternatives.

"It seems the court has pretty much reached the limit of what it can do other than custody."

Mr Fitzgerald told the court his client had previously been a victim of domestic violence, describing her situation as "a sad case in so many respects."

He said: "If you are sending her to custody today, I ask that you keep it as low as you possibly can."

The breached suspended sentences were activated by the court - meaning 22 weeks of immediate custody for Pythian.

She received four weeks concurrent for her latest breach and was ordered to pay £85 costs, as well as a £154 victim surcharge.