Woman 'walking home from Rangers Supporters' Club' in Ballymena had hair pulled and was repeatedly punched in the face
A woman "walking home from a Rangers Supporters' Club" had her hair pulled, was thrown to the ground and was punched multiple times to the face.
Details were given to Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday where Lyndsey Turner (42), with an address listed as Drumtara in Ballymena, pleaded guilty to assault. The incident happened on Sunday September 1, 2024.
A prosecutor said that a woman "had been at the Rangers Supporters' Club in Ballymena" and when she was "walking home with a friend she stated to police that a female she knows to be the defendant grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground and while she was on the ground she stated that the defendant punched her to the face multiple times".
The prosecutor added: "The defendant was notebook interviewed and made a counter-allegation against the injured party."
The injured party provided photographs of her injuries which showed bruising around her eye and redness, the court heard. District Judge Nigel Broderick viewed the photographs.
A defence barrister said that the defendant had no record and has been working for 18 years in the "social care sector". He said that the defendant and the woman "got into a verbal argument which turned violent".
The lawyer said that it was accepted the defendant's "actions went beyond what could initially have been viewed as self-defence".
He said that the defendant expressed remorse and regret and "proffers an apology". Judge Broderick said that it had been a "nasty assault".
He told the defendant: "I know you made the case about self defence but your barrister made it clear you accept this is not a self defence case because on the facts of the case it appears that whatever provocation you perceived to come from the victim you went far beyond what could be reasonably considered self-defence.
"This victim was on the ground and she was punched multiple times. Although it doesn't form part of the case I have seen photographs of hair loss."
The defendant was given a Combination Order of 60 hours of Community Service and one year Probation.