Amy McDonagh

Amy McDonagh, a 40-year-old woman from York, appeared before York Magistrates Court charged with failing to comply with the sex offenders' register and three counts of theft. The court heard that McDonagh, who is required to report to Fulford Road Police Station every seven days due to her status on the sex offenders' register, missed her scheduled attendance on 22 January 2024. At the time, she was homeless, which contributed to the reporting requirement, but she later explained her absence by citing her severe alcoholism.

Prosecutor Martin Butterworth outlined that following her failure to report, police issued a wanted notice for McDonagh. Upon her arrest, she admitted to forgetting the appointment because of her drinking problems. In addition to the register breach, McDonagh faced charges for stealing alcohol from city centre convenience stores. On 12 February 2024, she took pre-mixed cocktails worth £21.60 from Sainsbury's in Bootham; on 15 February 2024, she stole items worth £8.60 from the same store; and later that day, she took goods valued at £14.90 from Tesco on Low Ousegate. Some of the stolen alcohol was recovered by authorities.

McDonagh, now residing at Peaseholm Centre in Fishergate, pleaded guilty to all charges. Her solicitor, Craig Robertson, described the underlying sexual offence that placed her on the register as a drunken kiss on a barman's cheek, emphasising her alcohol dependency. 'She drinks far too much,' Robertson stated, adding that the thefts were for her personal consumption due to her alcoholism. He also noted that McDonagh has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and faces several vulnerabilities. Since 22 January 2024, she has secured accommodation at Peaseholm Centre, which alleviated the need for weekly police reporting.

The court imposed an 18-month community order on McDonagh, including six months of alcohol treatment and 10 days of rehabilitative activities. She was ordered to pay £9.10 in compensation to Sainsbury's, £14.90 to Tesco, a £114 statutory surcharge, and £85 in prosecution costs. This sentencing follows a prior conviction in 2024, where McDonagh admitted to sexual assault of a man, witness intimidation, and two thefts, resulting in a one-year jail term and placement on the sex offenders' register for 10 years. The case was heard at York Magistrates Court, with reporting by Megi Rychlikova for the York Press.