Camelia Buchanan already failed to front community corrections for a pre-sentence report because her child was unwell and her mobile phone was out of credit.

Buchanan had earlier pleaded guilty to shoplifting.

Defence solicitor Elizabeth Stahlut asked for her client’s sentencing to be adjourned because Buchanan “didn’t mean to fail”.

Magistrate Karen Stafford gave Buchanan another opportunity but told her to “be prepared to go to jail” if the report wasn’t ready by September 8.

Ms Stahlut said her client had difficulties at her first meeting with community corrections because her child was sick.

Buchanan was then unable to attend the second meeting because she had no transportation and her phone was out of credit. 

The court heard rather than breaching her bail by entering Armidale’s CBD by walking to the meeting, Buchanan attempted to get a lift with a friend.

“She was concerned she would break her bail and she didn’t trust herself,” Ms Stahlut said.

“That shows a degree of restraint … she didn’t risk temptation.”

Ms Stahlut told the court that friend wasn’t at home and “these circumstances beyond her control” meant Buchanan was not at the meeting and the report was incomplete.

But Magistrate Stafford was more concerned Buchanan had left her previous residence in Wollongong without permission from her parole officer.

She said it was not a very good look on the report, especially as Buchanan had been jailed for previous shoplifting convictions.

“The report is about finding out more about you,” Magistrate Stafford told Buchanan. “If I don’t have it I can only go on the bare facts.

“I don’t care if all your kids are in hospital … you be there both days.”

Speaking in court Buchanan said she left Wollongong because she feared for the safety of her son after their house was broken into while they slept.

Magistrate Stafford said Buchanan might have had a good reason to move, but she should have properly informed her parole officer.