County Derry woman who grabbed officer by throat sentenced

A woman has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with assault on police, resisting police and disorderly behaviour.

Courtney Butcher (20) of Scroggy Park in Limavady was charged with the offences that occurred on October 29 2022.

Police were initially called to an incident in William Street in Derry when Butcher was alleged to have assaulted a male and was captured by CCTV. 

When police arrived, Butcher began to shout and swear at them, refusing to give her personal information.

She then tried to run from them and had to be restrained, grabbing one officer by the throat causing bleeding and kicking several others.

The alleged victim of the original assault refused to make a statement.

Defence Barrister Stephen Mooney said that the offence was 'clearly serious' but said that she had 'no previous offences'.

He added that she felt remorse for the incident and had become involved with anger management and other courses since it occurred.

She received a sentence of three months in prison suspended for two years.