Karen Marie McDonald of Main Street in Ballinamallard, appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday for sentencing. 

In the first incident on 7th December last, police attended McDonald’s home due to concerns about her safety as she had been self-harming. She was taken to the South West Acute Hospital for treatment where she became increasingly violent and started to kick out at police. She was restrained with handcuffs but proceeded to bite one of the female officers and attempted to bite another while also being verbally abusive.

McDonald was arrested and conveyed to Enniskillen Police Station but due to her requiring medical attention she was brought back to hospital. On the return journey she had calmed down and apologised to police for her actions. She was charged with assaulting the two female police officers. 

McDonald was also charged with assaulting, obstructing and resisting three different police officers on January 22nd. On this occasion, police were called to McDonald’s home at 2.45am on a separate incident and had cause to arrest her partner. The defendant attempted to interfere with the arrest by standing between the police and her partner and wrapping herself around him and shouting. She also slapped a female officer in the face and continued to scream and shout. When her partner had been placed in the patrol car, McDonald approached the vehicle and opened the door, telling him to “get out and run”. The defendant again struck out at the female officer who suffered swelling and tenderness to her face. 

Deputy District Judge Amanda Brady heard that McDonald has eleven previous convictions for common assault but the last offence had been when she was aged 16. 

Defence barrister Ciaran Roddy added: “These offences occurred when the defendant didn’t have the assistance of medication whereas she is now helping herself. A suspended prison sentence would encourage her not to engage in this kind of behaviour again.”

Judge Brady sentenced McDonald to four months in jail, suspended for 12 months.