Woman who contacted former partner 69 times in a five day period refused bail

A woman currently on bail in connection with an assault on her former partner contacted him 69 times in a five day period Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

Michelle Anne Hughes (42) of Killowen Drive in Magherafelt appeared charged with breaching her bail and assaulting and resisting police on October 9.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 

He told the court that Hughes called police to report that she had breached her bail and wanted arrested. 

She told police she had received calls and voicemails from her former partner who she is not allowed to contact after being charged with assaulting him with a glass tumbler causing 'significant injuries'.

Police checked her phone and discovered she had made 69 calls to the alleged victim in a five day period. 

When police went to arrest her the court was told she became 'verbally abusive' and then lashed out at police.

She continued to resist while being brought to a police vehicle and then spat twice at an officer. 

Hughes was described as being 'volatile' the whole time in custody.

The officer said that the defendant had 39 previous convictions many of them for violence. 

He said there was a risk of re-offending and breaching bail. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that this was the second breach of bail by Hughes and refused bail. 

Hughes was remanded in custody to appear again on November 8.