Judge says it is 'practically impossible' for a Derry woman to avoid a custodial sentence
28-year-old woman admitted assaulting a receptionist in the Waterside Health Centre
A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court said today that it was 'practically impossible' for a local woman to avoid a custodial sentence as he adjourned her case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Hannah Duddy (28) of Rockmills in Derry appeared charged with a series of offences in Waterside Health Centre.
She admitted assaulting a receptionist at the Health Centre on August 1.
She also admitted attempted criminal damage in the same location on the same date as well as a charge of disorderly behaviour.
Duddy further further admitted three assaults on police officers and one on a designated officer on August 2.
The court heard that police were called to the Health Centre at around 5.40pm on August 1 after Duddy had demanded a prescription which had been refused.
She then punched a screen putting the receptionist in fear of being assaulted.
Duddy left the premises before police arrived and they went to her home to locate her.
While in custody she assaulted several officers and then racially abused the custody officer calling her 'a brown skinned bitch.'
Defence solicitor Paddy McGurk said his client claimed she had been given the wrong prescription and had gone back to get the right one and when she was refused 'got her temper up.'
He said Duddy was trying to engage with services to assist her with her issues.
As regards the assault on police the solicitor said after Duddy was put in restraints she kicked out.
He described the whole affair as 'an unsavoury incident'.
District Judge Barney McElholm said this was 'an outrageous way to behave.'
He said health service staff already worked under difficult conditions with poor pay and everything else 'without people coming in and abusing them.'
The judge said it was difficult to hold out any hope for Duddy as her behaviour was 'completely unacceptable'.
He ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared and released Duddy on bail.
She will be sentenced on September 29.