A Shirehampton woman, who missed an appointment with probation, claimed she had swine flu.

At Bristol Magistrates' Court yesterday, Claire Midghall, said the reason she didn't attend a CJIT follow-up appointment on Thursday was because she had flu and had been prescribed Tamiflu.

Midghall, of Grainger Court, was arrested for missing her appointment this week. Keeping to appointments was a condition for Midghall being granted bail for another matter.

The 33-year-old is due back at Bristol Magistrates' Court on October 26 for allegedly stealing a hammer drill worth £79.99 from Focus Stores and assaulting a constable.

Magistrates yesterday released her on conditional bail.

She was ordered to bring evidence that she was prescribed Tamiflu at her next appearance in court.