Woman remanded charged with 'a premeditated and vicious' hammer attack

A woman has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with what was described as 'a premeditated and vicious attack' using a hammer on another woman.

Elaine Bradley (50) of Altcar Park in Derry appeared charged with threatening to kill the woman on November 5.

She was also charged with aggravated burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm on the same woman, grievous bodily harm with intent and threatening to damage property again on the same date. 

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail telling the court the defendant had 45 previous convictions. 

The court was told that the alleged victim was in her own home when another woman arrived followed shortly afterwards by the defendant. 

The alleged victim said she had had an altercation with Bradley some 14 years ago and had not seen her since and added she would not have let her into the house. 

The woman said Bradley struck her with a small hammer on the head and body and when the alleged victim managed to get that weapon away from her she produced another one. 

The attack was only said to have stopped when blue lights could be seen outside and it was believed that the other woman had phoned the emergency services. 

Bail was opposed due to the fact that Bradley was alleged to have threatened 'if you report me I will put your windows in and I will burn you out.' 

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that it was 'obviously a serious incident' but added that the injuries were much less serious than they could have been. 

He said that Bradley lived several miles away from the alleged injured party and could be banned from that part of the city. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that there was 'a fair degree of premeditation' and Bradley was alleged to have brought two hammers with her. 

He said that the distance between the addresses 'was only a bus journey away'. 

Citing the risk of re-offending the judge said it was a 'clearly premeditated and serious attack' and he refused bail. 

Bradley was remanded in custody to appear again on November 30.