by Hayley Robinson

hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

A carnival princess who was slapped with an Asbo for being badly behaved has vowed to turn her life around.

Rowdy Rachael Booker-Pook is banned from entering The Forum shopping centre in Sittingbourne High Street under the terms of the order.

And she must not be in a group greater than three people under the age of 21 which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in and around the town centre.

Kent Police released details of the two-year Asbo with DC Alan Beesley, of Sittingbourne police station, welcoming the order.

He said: "Over the last few months reports of anti-social behaviour in The Forum have increased and we were being contacted on a regular basis by local business owners and security staff who were fed up with the behaviour of a small group of young people."

But the 18-year-old says her troubled times are in the past now and Sittingbourne Carnival Association has vowed to stand by her after she was selected as one of two princesses on March 20.

West Street resident Rachael said: "I'm very grateful to the carnival association for standing by me and supporting me and I understand that if there is any trouble I won't get to keep the title.

"When I got the Asbo I was in with a bad crowd and I was going through some difficult times in my personal life.

"I'm trying to turn my life around. I'm starting an Open University course in June to study psychology and I hope to study public services at Mid Kent College in September.

"I'd like to become a criminal psychologist. I don't want to judge people, I want to understand them.

"I'm also looking for work. I'm trying my hardest. I want to move on from it all, have a fresh start, wipe the slate clean.

"I'm spending time with my family. I've changed so much, not only in my behaviour but the way I look, I'm taking a different approach to life.

"I'm trying to rebuild what I've lost and build on what I've got."

Sittingbourne Carnival Association chairman Pam Griggs said: "I found out about Rachael's Asbo after the selection process and invited her and her father to my house where we had a long discussion about it.

"She told me she wants to turn her life around and we're giving her a second chance.

"She's trying to put her all in to this, but she is aware that if there is any sign of trouble she is out. We've got to think of SCA's reputation.

"She can't enter The Forum but she has asked if she needs to (enter the centre for carnival duties) if she can do so wearing her sash and if she is accompanied by an escort from the association such as myself."

Rachael added: "People ask me how I ended up as a princess but it's judged on personality so I obviously had something that they liked.

"I really don't want to lose the title and I want to use this as a platform to turn my life around.

"I want to make it work and prove to everyone that I can make something of my life and achieve something."

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