Two Telford women in custody after breaking bail conditions

Shannon Roberts, 18, of Victoria Avenue, Wellington and Bethany Hill, 19, of High Street, Wellington both admitted breaching bail requirements when they appeared before Telford Magistrates Court.

The court was told it was the second time Roberts had breached bail conditions while for Hill it was the third. Hill also admitted being in possession of a bladed article.

Mrs Kate Price, prosecuting, said that Hill had fled the scene after being spotted with Roberts and had been found under a van trying to hide a knife.

Hill was on bail pending sentencing for a series of offences to which she had pleaded guilty on January 19. Roberts was also awaiting sentencing on other offences.

Mrs Price said that the two women had initially breached their bail conditions just days later on January 22 when they were caught together by police.

Mrs Price said that the defendants had been freed with a strict and clear warning about bail conditions, only to break them again on January 24 when they were spotted together in King Street, Wellington.

She added that while Hill had run when the police spotted them, Roberts had stayed with officers saying: "It's not me you've got to worry about, it's Bethany who's got the knife."

Mr Dean Easthope, for Hill, said his client had been in care for most of her life and had developed a fear of being attacked which led to her carrying a knife.

Miss Jenni Hancocks, for Roberts, said that Hill had texted her client who had come out to see what the matter was.

"She doesn't appreciate that having a conversation with Bethany will get her into trouble," she said.

Magistrates remanded Hill in custody until her sentencing on February 11 and Roberts until her appearance at Shrewsbury Crown Court on February 2.