County Derry woman pushed elderly mother off a chair

A County Derry woman pushed her 79-year-old mother to the ground after she refused to give her money for cigarettes, a court has heard.

Helen Collins (45), of Clarkes Square, Knockloughrim, appeared at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday for sentencing on charges of common assault and criminal damage.

The incident occurred on October 9 2021 when police were called to an ongoing domestic incident in the Knockloughrim area.

When they arrived, they spoke to members of the public who had taken the defendant off the street and into a vehicle following the incident.

The injured party – the defendant's mother - gave an account to police indicating Collins had come into the house and pushed her off a chair and onto the ground.

They said the defendant had requested money off the injured party to buy cigarettes and it was after this request was refused that the offence had occurred.

After the defendant left the house, the injured party closed and locked the door, and when Collins realised this, she lifted a stick and struck the door's window, causing it to crack.

The defendant was arrested and answered 'no comment' to most of the questions asked.

Defence for Collins said the incident was 'sorrowing'. They said the defendant had been 'plagued' by alcoholism and was 'shamed and embarrassed' by her behaviour.

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The incident occurred on Garden Street in Magherafelt.

Counsel said she had been seeking help, had good family and financial support, but was 'crying out for probation's assistance'.

Judge Mullan said it was a 'very sad and worrying' case and that it was clear the defendant 'had her demons' in relation to alcohol, but added that an assault on an elderly woman 'cannot be condoned'.

She sentenced Collins to a combination order of 18 months' probation alongside 40 hours of community service.