A WOMAN who was drunk when she turned up for a court appearance sobbed as she was sentenced to five months in jail.

Catherine Eaves, of St Paul's Hostel, Tallow Hill, Worcester, arrived at the city's magistrates court yesterday in "an emotional state" and still under the influence from the night before.

Her solicitor Barry Newton initially delayed the case, but once into the court room he described her as a woman trapped in a downward spiral.

Eaves admitting breaching her anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) on Thursday, March 27, when she was found lying drunk on the ground in Worcester.

Baljinder Kaur, prosecuting, said: "She was lying in the foetal position near a wall. Police officers roused her and at this point she became abusive. Officers formed the opinion she was drunk and thereafter she was arrested."

Three days later Eaves - who was made subject to an Asbo in September 2005 for playing loud music, shouting, swearing, spitting and throwing things over the balcony of her home - stole £80 from a man she agreed to have sex with for money.

Mrs Kaur said: "A man had fallen over in the Butts, Worcester. CCTV was monitoring the situation and officers were told that he, Mr Lucas, was lying on the floor being attended to by people and Catherine Eaves."

The court heard that Eaves knelt beside the man, took his wallet from his pocket and withdrew £80 cash, telling witnesses the man was her grandfather and she needed a taxi home.

She later admitted that she met Mr Lucas in town, they had gone for drinks and agreed to go to a hotel to have sex.

Mrs Kaur said: "They had a conversation about getting a hotel room and having sex for payment with cash.

"She said she'd removed the money in payment for sex and groping."

Mr Newton, defending, described Eaves's probation service report as depressing. He said: "There are no victims in this case and that puts this at the lowest end of breach of an Asbo.

"Regarding the theft, I'll say no more than you've already heard and read, aside from saying that before she arrived in Worcester she was literally penniless."

He told the magistrates that Eaves has an alcohol problem.

The bench sentenced her to five months in custody for the breach of her Asbo, with no separate penalty for the theft or charge of being drunk and disorderly, both of which she also admitted.