A CANCER sufferer appealed to a judge to alter a curfew order so she could get treatment.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Lee Grace Chapman, 38, who had been ordered by justices to stay indoors between noon and midnight, had not had chemotherapy or radiotherapy since the order was imposed.

Her case was adjourned until May 1 by Judge Anthony Proctor for proof of her medical condition .

The judge, sitting with two magistrates, said Chapman had a chronic alcohol dependency and had suffered damage caused by drink.

Chapman, of Crawford Street, Nelson, was appealing against the sentence of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates. She had been convicted of theft and deception.

Kendal Lindley, for the Crown, told the court the curfew order was made without the appellant's consent.

An order could be made in such circumstances when a person had failed to pay fines and if a further fine was imposed, the defendant did not have the money to pay it. It was an alternative to custody.

The curfew order was made after a woman's purse, Switch card and cash were stolen from a Help the Aged shop.

Chapman took the items, went to a jewellery shop and spent £194 on two wedding rings. A further transaction was made and Chapman, who had previous convictions, had been in breach of court orders.

Martin Hackett, for Chapman, said the offences were mean and she had a record for such crime.

The curfew had been made from noon to midnight. Chapman, who had cervical cancer, had been receiving treatment since 1997.

She had radiotherapy at Burnley General Hospital and chemotherapy at Christies Hospital Manchester but because of the times of the order, she could no longer attend sessions. She had not had any treatment since the order was imposed.

Mr Hackett added: "The appellant is ill and is in need of treatment."