Drunk woman swung a punch at neighbour

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When she was extremely drunk a 45-year-old woman caused a disturbance outside her neighbour’s house and later swung a punch at her.

Nicola Irene Barry, Castleview, Gilford, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour and common assault on a female on March 9 this year.

The case had been adjourned until last Thursday’s sitting of Banbridge Magistrates Court for a pre-sentence report.

A police prosecutor said the injured party contacted police because she had been having difficulties with her next door neighbour, the defendant.

She said that shortly after 4am she heard banging noises outside in the street where the defendant was causing a disturbance.

The injured party asked what was going on and was met with verbal abuse from Barry who also threw pebbles at the window where the victim was standing. There was more verbal abuse and threats made.

At one point in the day the injured party was standing at her front door when Barry approached and swung a punch.

The injured party then contacted the police because this behaviour had gone on all day long.

During her first interview Barry denied disorderly behaviour and assault but in a second interview she said she simply could not remember because of her level of intoxication. A barrister representing the defendant said the pre-sentence report was a comprehensive one which showed she has had a number of difficulties in the last year years.

He explained that the tragic death of a former partner led to mental health problems and alcohol abuse.The barrister added that she had taken a large amount of alcohol.

District Judge Amanda Brady sentenced her to three months in custody for each offence and suspended the terms for two years.