AFTER overcoming drug abuse for the sake of her unborn child, Xaviera Williams returned to the habit when she was diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Charged with the possession of cocaine and a device used to smoke it, Williams on Tuesday begged not to be sent to jail, so she could care for her three-year-old daughter.

’When I found out I was pregnant I stopped (using drugs) ... then I found out I was HIV positive,’ the 30-year-old said.

Williams said the pain and frustration she experienced with the disease, led to her returning to cocaine use. ’I deserve to be sent to jail for being in possession of the drug,’ said Williams, a garbage collector with a fast food outlet.

’She, however, asked to be spared a jail sentence to ’spend the last’ with her child.

Williams, 30, of Princes Town told Magistrate Alexander Prince that she had gone to Claxton Bay last Sunday to collect money to buy things for her daughter’s birthday when she was found with the drug and device. Williams was found with .5 grammes of cocaine, police prosecutor Sgt Wendell Fernando told the Second Court.