Enniskillen Court House, RMGFH04
A 50-YEAR-OLD Fermanagh woman who bit a police officer and urinated in the back of a police car has been given a suspended sentence in court.
Anne Scobie of Drumbawn, Drumclay appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday charged with disorderly behaviour, criminal damage, and three counts of assault on police. The charges related to two separate incidents this year.
The first occurred on Sunday, February 22 , when police received reports of a female “going mad” at Drumbeg. When they arrived at the scene Scobie was lying on the road, shouting at residents. She was warned by police about her behaviour, and was taken to an ambulance to be checked over by paramedics.
Scobie became aggressive towards the paramedics, shouting “f**k off” and then resisted police who attempted to arrest her for disorderly behaviour, kicking one constable. While on their way to Enniskillen Police Station Scobie headbutted and bit another officer, breaking skin through two layers of clothing.
With regard the second incident, on June 19, the court was told police were called to reports of a disturbance at a house in Drumbawn. When they arrived they found a man and two women upstairs in the house involved in a dispute. Scobie hit one of the police officers with an open hand.
While being brought to custody on that occasion Scobie urinated in the rear of the police car, causing £170 of damage, and spat at the officers. She was also struggling and had to be restrained. Upon arriving at the police station Scobie was sent to hospital due to the level of her intoxication.
Scobie’s defence solicitor Michelle McVeigh said her client struggled with alcohol addiction but was taking proactive steps to tackle the addiction. Ms McVeigh said during the second incident Scobie had been the victim of an assault herself, and was bleeding from her nose when officers arrived at the house. She explained Scobie was unable to make a statement about the incident later due to her poor recollection of the events.
Ms McVeigh explained that despite Scobie’s attempts to seek treatment for her alcohol addiction she had “fallen off the wagon” at the time of the incident. She added the defendant, who had a “limited relevant record”, had not drank since September. Ms McVeigh said Scobie was a vulnerable adult with mental health issues, and was very worried about being in court.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said both incidents had been serious and said while her mental health difficulties were “no excuse” they did put the incidents in context.
Judge Broderick sentence Scobie to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months, warning her she would go to jail if she committed another offence. He ordered her to pay £100 compensation to the first police officer, £300 to the second officer, and £170 for damage to the police car. Ms McVeigh said Scobie had taken money to court with her to pay the compensation.
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