Caused disturbance and swung a punch

When she was extremely drunk a 45-year-old woman caused a disturbance outside her neighbour's house and later swung a punch at her.
Symbol of law and justice in the empty courtroom, law and justice concept.Symbol of law and justice in the empty courtroom, law and justice concept.
Symbol of law and justice in the empty courtroom, law and justice concept.

Nicola Irene Barry, Castleview, Gilford, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour and common assault on a female on March 9 this year.

A police prosecutor said the injured party contacted police because she had been having difficulties with her next door neighbour, the defendant.

Shortly after 4am, the injured party said, she heard banging noises outside where the defendant was causing a disturbance.

She asked what was going on and was met with verbal abuse from Barry who also threw pebbles. There was more verbal abuse and threats made.

At one point in the day the injured party was standing at her front door when Barry approached and swung a punch at her.

The injured party then contacted the police because this behaviour had gone on all day long.

During her first interview Barry denied disorderly behaviour and assault but in a second interview she said she simply could not remember because of her level of intoxication.

A defence barrister said the pre-sentence report showed she has had a number of difficulties in the last year years. He explained the tragic death of a former partner led to mental health problems and alcohol abuse. The barrister added that she had taken a large amount of alcohol this night and through the day.

He said that it was not all one way traffic as far as the abuse was concerned but there had been nothing since between the parties. The barrister pointed out that a pre-sentence report indicated she was not suitable for probation or community service and asked the court to leave something hanging over her head.

District Judge Amanda Brady sentenced her to three months in custody for each offence and suspended the terms for two years.