Worcestershire | Archive | 2001 | September | 25
From the archive, first published Tuesday 25th Sep 2001.
A MUM-of-two who tried to barge her way into Worcester's Mental Health Resource Centre has appeared in court.
Violet Miller, who denies a public order charge and faces one count of criminal damage, flouted bail conditions imposed by Droitwich magistrates last week by hammering on the centre's door yesterday.
The bench last week told Miller, of Bromwich Road, St John's, Worcester, she could leave court only if she kept away from the centre unless she had an appointment, to keep an appointment with her GP, and follow the course of treatment and to keep in contact with her solicitor.
But the 39-year-old went back to the centre yesterday morning.
"She was kicking the door in an attempt to get back in," said Mark Soper, prosecuting at Droitwich Magistrates Court.
"The police were there pretty quickly and detained her. She was shouting.
"The court should consider what bail she's now granted - for her own safety as well as members of the public."
But her solicitor Charles Hamer warned detaining Miller may breach the Human Rights Act and urged District Judge Philip Browning not to remand her in custody.
"She's spent time in three prisons and had a pretty miserable time," he said. "On one occasion, she was assaulted.
"The lady has no record to speak of - nothing at all prior to earlier this year.
"She's been, for most of her life, a responsible woman. But she's got psychiatric problems."
Mr Browning agreed to give her another chance.
"But we're running out of chances," he warned her.
"If you break this, you're going to find yourself locked up again."
Miller was bailed on condition she kept away from the Bull Ring Surgery, and Mental Health Resource Centre, unless she had appointments, and she lived at her Bromwich Road address.
The case was adjourned until Friday.
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