A Craigavon woman who smashed up a neighbour’s car with a hammer has been ordered to pay £500 in compensation.
Helen Kearney, of Meadowbrook, was also handed a conditional discharge for a period of two years at a hearing before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The 57-year-old was charged with criminal damage and possessing a hammer with intent to cause damage, with the charges arising from an incident which occurred on November 17 last year.
That court was told that on this date, police had attended the Meadowbrook area of Craigavon following reports that the defendant was damaging a neighbour’s car.
Police spoke to the victim and observed a red Toyota with various strike marks around the window and bodywork.
The victim named the defendant as being responsible and showed police footage of her standing beside the vehicle holding a hammer.
The defendant, who had no prior criminal record, made full admissions at interview.
A defence lawyer described the charges as a “very unfortunate blemish on her hitherto good character”.
He noted that it had been a “neighbour dispute with a bit more to it than normal”, describing the incident as “foolish but impulsive”.
The court heard the initial compensation being sought was £2,284, but this was reduced to £500.
On imposing the compensation order and conditional discharge, District Judge Francis Rafferty commented: “Whatever difficulties you have with your neighbour. this is not the way to resolve them.”
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