Larne woman in court after damage was caused when firework was put through a letterbox
A Larne woman has been in court on a charge of criminal damage after a lit firework was put through a letterbox at a house in the town.
The 33-year-old was at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
She is Laura Knox with an address listed on her charge sheet as Curran Road in the town.
A prosecutor said that around 6am on November 26 in 2022 a woman said a "smoke bomb" had been put through her letterbox.
The prosecutor said: "It was ascertained it was actually a lit firework had been placed through her door and detonated inside, causing damage to the walls and skirting boards".
The court was told the woman "immediately assumed the suspect to be the defendant" and made contact with her via Snapchat "to accuse her about that incident. There was a history between the parties".
The court heard a male had already been dealt with over the firework incident and had received 200 hours Community Service.
The prosecutor said the defendant and the male had walked in the direction of the woman's house with a dog and the male was "carrying what looked like a firework rocket under his arm",
District Judge Nigel Broderick said: "I remember this case. Is this the one they took a selfie when they were doing it?" The prosecutor replied: "Yes, I think there was something to do with that".
The prosecutor continued: "Yes, there was a photograph on their phones". It was taken around 5.50am and said: 'Late night strolls'.
The defendant was wearing the same coat as the one worn by the female in "CCTV footage" and "the dog looks similar".
The firework had exploded around 6am and then at 6.26am a text was sent from the defendant's phone saying: 'Was it you I got the fireworks off?'
Judge Broderick asked why it took so long for the case to come to court, saying the first appearance in the case was not until March this year.
The prosecutor said the file was received at their department from police in September 2023 and was not allocated to a prosecutor until August 2024.
She said there were a "number of items outstanding" and the prosecution decision was not entered until January this year.
The prosecutor said the woman whose home had been attacked wants a Restraining Order.
"She would indicate that there have been incidents since between the parties, that there would be some posting online about her and she would be concerned that the defendant is also contacting her employer".
A defence barrister said the defendant said she had no contact with the woman since the firework offence.
The lawyer said the complainant was "only out of custody" but even before that there had been no contact, said the defence, who asked if a Restraining Order would be necessary.
The prosecutor said the complainant said there were "messages being put online" and that the defendant was "phoning her workplace" alleging she a "junkie" and that she should not be employed.
Judge Broderick said if there was a copy of messages online or a statement from the employer, he would consider making a Restraining Order.
The court was told the defendant had a record.
The case has been adjourned to June 25.