A woman who spat at a police officer following her arrest for disorderly behaviour has been ordered to complete 18 months probation.
The 48-year-old’s barrister told court: “Her offending has spiralled since the pandemic. She essentially has too much time on her hands.”
Egle Vysnaiuskaite, of Millvale Park in Bessbrook, appeared for sentencing on two counts of assault on police, disorderly behaviour and resisting police at Newry Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecution outlined that on July 2, at 11.30pm, police were called to a disturbance at an address on Shanlieve Court in Hilltown.
Upon arrival, officers detained the defendant who was shouting in the street outside of a property.
Police spoke to her ex-partner, who he stated that Vysnaiuskaite had arrived home intoxicated.
Whilst speaking to the defendant’s ex-partner, she punched one constable on the arm and at 11.45pm she was arrested.
Vysnaiuskaite continued to struggle with police. She kicked one officer before attempting to bite them and then spitting in their face.
During interview, the defendant made no comment to all questions put to her by police.
Defence barrister John McCann stated that his client “struggled with alcohol addiction” and said her ex-partner had called to police to have her removed from the property.
He said: “This was very poor behaviour to say the very least. She is originally from Lithuania, she has been living here since 2016. She had been working as a hairdresser in 2019 but she lost her clients due to the pandemic.
“Her offending has spiralled since the pandemic. She essentially has too much time on her hands.”
The barrister commented that a period with probation could help his client deal with her issues.
District Judge Eamon King stated: “I can understand why the court asked for a presentence report. This lady is subject to a suspended sentence. All of her offending has occurred in a short space of time and it is all alcohol related.”
Vysnaiuskaite was sentenced to complete a probation order for a period of 18 months.
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