A WOMAN has been spared jail for attempting to rob another woman at a homeless shelter.

Amy Paintin was found guilty at Oxford Crown Court last month of attempted robbery in December last year.

Paintin, 34, also admitted a theft charge from March 3 this year.

Oxford Crown Court was told on Friday that Paintin went to a woman’s room in O’Hanlon House, off Speedwell Street, Oxford, on December 12 and demanded £5.

When she refuse, Paintin attacked her, causing facial injuries.

In March, when visiting another friend, she stole about £1,000 from him and spent about £800 on drugs over the next day.

Paintin wrote a letter to Judge Ian Pringle, saying she was hoping to get to know her daughter, now nearly 18, whom she had had no contact with for 16-17 years. She was also hoping to rid herself of her drug addiction.

The judge told her: “Many people would say I am wrong, but I am going to give you a chance to do that. Do not under-estimate how tough it is going to be.”

She was given an 18- month suspended prison sentence, with a supervision requirement and a drug rehabilitation order and told to pay a £100 victims’ surcharge.

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