Mayor Rob Ford’s sister narrowly avoided an arrest warrant — the second in two months — over allegations she never did 25 hours of community service related to a theft conviction.

Kathy Ford arrived at the Finch Ave. W. courthouse late Monday afternoon just as court officials were discussing issuing a bench warrant for her arrest.

“Thank you and I am very, very sorry,” Ford told Justice of the Peace Diane McAleer after a decision was made to give her another chance.

Outside court, in a wide-ranging chat with the Star that ranged from her case to her brother’s fiscal policy, Ford maintained she had done the community service. “I am just not going to tell you what it was,” she said.

Two years ago, Kathy Ford was convicted of theft for stealing a quantity of toothbrushes from a Zellers store.

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Additional charges of assaulting a store security guard and obstructing police by giving a fake name when arrested were withdrawn. As part of her probation, Ford was ordered to complete 25 hours of community service by May 2013.

She never did, according to police in 22 Division. She was charged last summer with failing to comply with the community service order. That set in motion a series of court dates.

According to court records, Ford never showed up on Feb. 13 of this year when she was supposed to provide proof she had done community service. Court staff told the Star she has been asked several times for the proof, but has not given any.

Court papers related to her case state she must “provide written proof to the probation officer that community service has been completed.”

As a result of her not coming to court, a bench warrant was issued. She was arrested by Toronto police on Feb. 23 and released the next day on $500 bail.

That set in motion another series of court hearings.

Ford made three of them (all intended to set a date for a hearing) but did not show Monday for the 9 a.m. hearing.

During the day, court officials said they were trying to reach her and lawyer Dennis Morris, who has represented the Ford family for years and was listed in court papers as a previous representative of Kathy Ford.

During a mid-afternoon break, a Star reporter went to Kathy Ford’s home. Nobody came to the door. Two large dogs barked inside and there was a car in the driveway.

The Star left a note asking if Ford knew she was to be in court.

“Thanks for leaving that note,” Ford said when she arrived at court two hours later driven by a man in a BMW who said “my name is Frank but I go by Sam.”

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Ford told the court she was at an appointment for cellulitis in her leg and made it to court as soon as she could.

“You had seven hours to contact us,” the justice of the peace said. “Make a call next time.”

Ford has been told to return to court on May 26 for a pretrial meeting on her failure to appear in court charge. The matter of the 25 hours community service remains outstanding.

Outside court, Ford said she understands her brother has “issues” but said “you have to remember he has saved us a billion dollars.”

With files from Joel Eastwood