Co Armagh woman has 'struggled to cope' since murder of her brother, Craigavon court hears

Shantelle Gibson, aged 29, from Drumgor Heights, Craigavon was originally charged with disorderly behaviour in the Drumgor Heights area on June 19 last year. The charge was amended to resisting police on the same date to which she pleaded guilty.

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District Judge Michael Ranaghan said he had watched the footage and agreed with the amended charge.

The court heard police were tasked to an incident at Drumgor Heights on June 19 last year at around 1.50pm.

"Police spoke with the defendant who was out in the street and noted that her home address had some damage to it,” a prosecutor revealed.

“The defendant appeared on the influence of a substance and attempted to walk off from police and was restrained. Under restraint the defendant became aggressive and began to shout out police while outside on the grass,” he said.

Gibson’s solicitor, Mr Philip Reid, described the offence at “very much the lower end”.

“She was clearly under the influence of something whether it was alcohol or not," he said.

"I think it is accepted she wasn’t disorderly and, after a bit of discussion with police, they then seek to detain her and it’s at that point there’s a bit of resisting,” said Mr Reid.

He described his client as a "lady who hasn’t been without her difficulties” revealed that her brother Nathan was “brutally” murdered some years ago.

"It’s something she has really struggled to cope with,” he said.

The defendant was fined her £250 plus £15 offender levy.