IT comes to something when a homeless person asks to be jailed in an attempt to stop her chronic alcohol problem.
But that’s just what 31-year-old Natalie Dennison asked Kirklees Magistrates to do ... and they duly obliged by giving her a nine-week sentence.
Her solicitor, Mike Sisson-Pell, described it as a sad case and it certainly is whichever way you look at it.
Clearly Dennison has a chaotic lifestyle, but this case does pose the question: Is there enough treatment for people with alcohol problems?
Is there a service that people who want to change can access quickly?
Services with waiting lists are no good for people with severe alcohol problems. It needs to be instant. If it is not, the temptation could quickly prove too much and the person will go back to the bottle.
Dennison has her wish and has that instant access off the streets and into prison which will at least give her a structured lifestyle for a few weeks.
Let’s hope there are people in there who can give her the help and support she needs to change her life.
She made a brave yet bizarre plea for help.
Let’s hope it works.
