Woman had no recollection of assaulting guard at restaurant

Forty-one-year-old Emma Murphy from Main Street in Toomebridge admitted charges of common assault, resisting police and assaulting a police designated person.

Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop told Murphy that a breach of the order would result in her being brought back to court in connection with these charges.

Prosecuting counsel said on January 5 last year, the security guard reported to police that he had been assaulted by a female after he refused her access to the premises.

The lawyer said the injured party had been hit on the face by the defendant.

He identified Murphy who began shouting and swearing at police when they approached her, counsel continued.

He said Murphy resisted police as they arrested her and put handcuffs on.

Counsel said she was taken to Dungannon custody suite where she kicked a shoe in the direction of a police designated person, hitting him in the groin area and causing him pain.

He said the defendant was later interviewed by police and said she had no recollection of the incident.

The lawyer said she was shown CCTV footage of the assault at Domino’s Pizza, but said she had no recollection as she was intoxicated.

Pleading for leniency defence lawyer Michael Forde said that “it was quite clear the defendant had too much to drink on this night”.

Mr Forde pointed out that in the pre-sentence report it was recommended that the defendant would benefit from help and guidance from the Probation Services.

He asked the court to give Murphy an opportunity to engage with Probation and take part in courses recommended by them to assist her from re-offending.

Mr Dunlop said that he had read the pre-sentence report and agreed a period of Probation for the defendant was the best disposal.

He added that she should also be aware that any breach over the 18-month period would result in her returning to court for these offences.

Editor’s message:

Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.