Held in custody for not turning up to court on time, a visibly distraught Katrina Lee Armstrong appeared before the judge when her name was called at the end of the court list.
The 46-year-old was before Judge Barbara Morris for sentencing on two charges of shoplifting and one of burglary.
She cried and wiped tears from her eyes as she stood in the dock. She then heard Community Corrections had not determined her home suitable for home detention.
Lawyer Virginia Pearson said her client was responsible for an at-risk teenager and in the past had undergone in-depth treatment for alcohol problems.
Ms Pearson requested the home be re-assessed so a community-based sentenced could be considered by the court.
