Derry Court: Woman assaulted partner and used 3-year-old child as barrier against police

When police were called to a report of a woman assaulting her partner the woman grabbed her 3-years-old child to use as a barrier against police Derry Magistrate's Court heard.

Nicola Duffin (39) of Davison Villas, Castledawson admitted assaulting a man, assault on 4 police officers, resisting an officer and one charge of criminal damage to a pair of glasses.

All of the offences occurred on March 30 2022.

The court heard that police were called to a report of a domestic incident and a man told them he had been assaulted by his former partner.

He said she had come in intoxicated and had grabbed him round the neck and in the groin area.

She said she had grabbed the injured party as she knew she was 'stronger' than him.

When police went to arrest her she became 'irate' and grabbed the 3-years-old child to use as a barrier against police.

She kicked out at officers while they tried to get the child from her.

She struggled with police before she was arrested.

At interview she said she had been assaulted first by the injured party.

A defence barrister said his client had initially been calm when police arrived.

He said Duffin accepted she had drink taken.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that domestic violence was a serious offence and sentenced her to 4 months in prison suspended for two years and 12 months probation.