1 week Ago By Court Reporter
Laura Burns (40) of Liscannor Park in Derry was charged with the offences that occurred on July 28 after police were called to the scene of a distressed female outside Dunnes Stores in Springtown. Advertisement Advertisement Police found Burns outside the shop claiming to be suicidal. Officers proceeded to take her to the hospital but she began to behave erratically, becoming aggressive and trying to bite and scratch the officers and damaging the inside of the police car.
Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Derry Journal, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. In the hospital, Burns continued to behave aggressively, having to be escorted outside by police after being given several verbal warnings. Defense Barrister Sinead Rogan said that these were 'serious offences' but that Burns had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Advertisement Advertisement She told the court that Burns has a 'serious addiction' to alcohol that she had been managing well for years prior to moving back to Derry. She added that Burns hadn't had a drink since July this year, was actively seeking treatment for her addiction and had no previous record other than a caution. Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy said that any offence involving hospital staff would usually attract an immediate custodial sentence, calling Burns's behavior 'appalling'.
She was sentenced to three months in custody, suspended for two years. She was ordered to pay a £500 compensation order to both of the police officers involved..
