Alcoholic collapses in the dock

AN ambulance was called to Ely courthouse on Thursday when alcoholic Rosemary West collapsed in the dock. West had been sitting slumped throughout her case, supported by a security officer, and then appeared to lose consciousness. She was given a drink of

AN ambulance was called to Ely courthouse on Thursday when alcoholic Rosemary West collapsed in the dock.

West had been sitting slumped throughout her case, supported by a security officer, and then appeared to lose consciousness.

She was given a drink of water and helped from the courtroom by her solicitor and security staff, and when paramedics arrived they took her to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Magistrates were told that the 53-year-old mother of two - who has suffered from alcohol dependency for 10 years - may have taken some pills.

Before the drama, West admitted stealing a £5.99 bottle of Martini from the One Stop store in Ely on January 3.

Prosecutor Emma Dmitriev said she had selected the bottle, smiled at shop staff and then walked out with the alcohol, making no effort to pay.

West, formerly of Collier Close, Ely, had recently moved to an address in London Road, Chatteris. She was already subject to a community order with the probation service for previous theft offences.

Mitigating, Sandeep Kainth asked the magistrates to revoke previous community orders, which were not going well. He suggested West be given a suspended jail sentence, and should be supervised by the probation service.

"She receives support from her GP, by way of anti-depressants," he said.

West had been referred to an alcohol dependency unit in Cambridge, but had not been prescribed medication.

Her case was adjourned for seven days.