Jodie Fitzgerald from Totton given second chance by judge at Southampton Crown Court

A TOTTON woman at risk of being sent to prison has been given another chance.

Jodie Fitzgerald (39), of Harwood Close, was handed a community order at Southampton Crown Court in September 2023 for possession of class A drugs.

However, she breached this shortly after in stealing from Waitrose, Savers and Dobbies garden centre between October and November that year.

She appeared at court on Thursday after Judge Nicholas Rowland previously deferred her sentence to give her an opportunity to engage with probation.

The court heard Fitzgerald had been off drugs for 50 days and had impressed probation officers with her efforts.

Judge Rowland told her: “I gave you a chance and you’ve taken it. It is a long road, given your history, but I very much hope you take advantage of it.”

Imposing an 18-month community order, he also ordered her to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and 33 rehabilitation activity requirement days.