Woman who bared her rear to police at Dungannon is placed on Probation
A Co Tyrone woman who bared her rear and made racial slurs to a police officer, has been placed on Probation for 18 months at Dungannon Magistrates Court.
Maria Barnard, aged 44, from Springvale, Dungannon, was also ordered to carry out 40 hours of community service.
Barnard admitted charges of assault on police, resisting police, and having in her possession cocaine, tramadol and pregabalin at Scotch Street, Dungannon, on March 15.
She also admitted being disorderly and assault on police at Lisnahull Road, Dungannon, on June 22.
A defence lawyer told the court that Barnard had, unfortunately, turned to alcohol after the death of her son in the Greenvale Hotel incident in Cookstown on March 17, 2019.
She explained that she had the drugs for personal use and had entered a plea of guilty to the charges at the earliest opportunity.
The lawyer stressed that the defendant has not come to police attention since the incident of June 22.
"She has fallen into a hard time after her son's death," said the lawyer, who submitted that a period of Probation may be suitable and she consented to it.
Imposing the combination order, District Judge Francis Rafferty remarked that one could not but have sympathy for the defendant on the loss of her son in such very distressing circumstances.
The judge continued that being said,many people have suffered similar personal losses and do not engage in this type of disgraceful behaviour.
He warned the defendant if she did not address her issues she will find herself back before the court.
The judge added the court would not tolerate racial abuse of anybody.