Oxford – Woman with more than 200 previous offences jailed

Charlotte McCollin, of Botley Road, Oxford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday, March 25.

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating, one count of intimidating a witness, one count of theft and one count of criminal damage.

The court heard that McCollin was reported to police by a woman called Michelle Marra and was arrested as a result, then released on bail.

On December 28 last year, McCollin was on a bike and saw Ms Marra. The court heard she asked her to put money towards the purchase of drugs.

Jan Hayne, prosecuting, told the court that McCollin grabbed Ms Marra’s scarf and she was unable to breathe for around 30 seconds.

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She then threw a gold can at her.

Then on December 31, McCollin went to Ms Marra’s flat and said: “I’ve been in this crack business a long time. Everybody knows me here. There’s no way the police are going to catch me or stop me. I have them under control.

“You’re messing with the wrong person. And everybody that knows me around here has you targeted. There’s no way they’re ever going to put a stop to me.

“Whatever happens, deal with it and don’t call the police. Don’t get the police involved no matter what happens.”

She then slapped the victim in the face, leaving a red mark and swelling, the court was told.

A file image of police officers in Oxford (Image: Oxford Mail)

Ms Hayne said: “This was a course of conduct which caused harm and distress.”

On January 2, McCollin entered Ms Marra’s flat again, smashed a mobile phone and took Diazepam tablets.

The court heard that McCollin has 74 previous convictions for 205 offences.

Ms Hayne said: “She has had a long term relationship with class A drugs.”

The court heard that McCollin was in breach of a suspended sentence and a conditional discharge.

Peter Du Feu, mitigating, said: “She is doing her best to stay as focused as she can. Prison is becoming all too familiar to her.

“She’s much more settled in custody, it works for her because of the lack of chaos.

“She has had a very difficult life. She has committed inquisitive offences to secure drugs.

“She has said she is sorry for what she has done and to those she has hurt. She knows she can be very difficult and challenging.

“She wants to break the cycle.”

Judge Michael Roques said: “You have a huge number of previous convictions. Your previous convictions are such an aggravating factor.”

McCollin was jailed for two years and given a five-year restraining order to not contact the victim.