Derry Court: Woman remanded on witness intimidation charge

A woman has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with intimidating a witness and other offences.

Tanya Smith (26) of Clon Dara in Derry appeared charged with assaulting a female, threatening to damage property and intimidating a witness on February 14.

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

He told the court that the alleged victim told police she had a few friends round.

She said at 7am Smith arrived at her address and she brought her in.

Then at 8.30am the woman tried to get Smith to leave but she refused and the woman said Smith slapped her across the face and dragged her down the hall by her hair.

Smith was also said to have threatened to assault the woman's teenage son.

The c court then was told that a couple who lived next door to the defendant were walking their dog when Smith began shouting at them to get out or they would be burnt out.

Then the officer said police received another report from a man who said a woman called to his door asking to speak to him.

As the man was going to speak to this woman he allegedly saw Smith who asked him to drop a complaint he had made against her.

The court heard that Smith had over 40 previous convictions and there was a risk of re-offending.

Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said that there was 'a history' with the neighbours and the defendant had asked to be moved to another address.

She said her client denied the witness intimidation and claimed footage from a doorbell cam didn't show the defendant.

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said if the defendant was to be believed four different people would have to have told 'untruths'.

He refused bail and remanded Smith in custody to appear again on March 14.