MAGISTRATES took pity on a notorious street drinker when she appeared before them for the 500th time with a message of hope.
Every justice in York has sat in judgement on Karen Anne Bulmer, who has been a frequent, sometimes daily visitor, to their court for many years for alcohol-related offences.
They have given her every punishment available from a discharge to a prison sentence.
When she appeared before them for her 500th conviction, her solicitor Craig Robertson told them of plans to transform her life by getting her a home and provide her with stability.
Magistrates responded by giving her an absolute discharge.
Bulmer, 49, pleaded guilty to stealing a sherry bottle from Tesco in Piccadilly and breaching an antisocial behaviour order by having an open container of alcohol in public.
Police had refused her bail when they arrested her, as they have done many times before, often because they feared she would commit more offences, and sent her to court in custody.
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