A 21-year-old woman who told a police officer she hoped she “ended up like [murdered PSNI officer] Ronan Kerr” has been handed a deferred prison sentence.
Drug addict Sandra Quinn lashed out at police by kicking an officer on the forehead and grabbing another by the arm after she absconded from a road traffic collision.
District Judge Neil Rafferty told Quinn, of Culmore Park, Omagh, that he would defer any sentencing until June 23 and offered her a chance to avoid prison if she stayed out of trouble.
A prosecutor outlined to the court that on December 20 police were called to a road traffic collision on the Mossfield Road, Irvinestown. Upon arrival they discovered that one of the drivers had left the scene while the other driver of the car involved informed police that the first car was travelling on the wrong side of the road.
Police then conducted a search of the area and found the driver, who was identified as Quinn, half a mile away and noted that there was a strong smell of alcohol from her. The court heard that Quinn became agitated and shouted at police before lunging at one of the officers. They described her speech as incoherent. Quinn then pushed a police officer and said: “Don’t f*****g touch me. Don’t think you can f*****g touch me.”
She was arrested for disorderly behaviour. While Quinn was lying on the ground she grabbed one of the officer’s arm and kicked her three or four times. She then began banging her head off the police vehicle while members of the emergency service and public were passing by.
Quinn was taken to Enniskillen Police Station where she kicked an officer on the forehead and said: “I hope you end up like Ronan Kerr.” She then started banging her head off the wall and as an officer tried to calm her down Quinn bit her on the forearm.
Quinn, who has previously breached a community service order, appeared in court accused of disorderly behaviour, resisting police, and assaulting a police officer.
Defence solicitor Colm O’Kane said that the defendant needed to address her drug issues.
“This is the main reason for her offences,” he said.
“I think she has come to the end of the line and wants to get her addiction under control and has been engaging with help and addiction services.”
Judge Rafferty called Quinn to the front of the court and asked her when the last time she had taken alcohol.
She replied that she had a relapse two weeks ago.
Judge Rafferty said: “I am going to explain something to you.You are an attractive and intelligent young woman. You have a life you can live and you are spoiling that by your addiction. I’m not interested in what you have to say.
“I’m going to tell you that you are at that really shaky stage and you need a bit of help and that’s what probation are for.
“What we are trying to do is help you and keep you out of trouble but you have to work with us.
“If you don’t then the reality is I will send you to prison. If that doesn’t get the message across I will send you to prison for longer until the message gets through.
“I will defer a sentence for six months. I will hold back these charges for six months.
“If you breach probation or commit another crime, I will sentence you. If you stay out of trouble I will find some way of keeping you out of prison. Do you promise me to stay out of trouble?”
She replied: “Yes.”
The sentence was deferred until June 23.
A further charge of attempted criminal damage was withdrawn by the public prosecution service.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere