Draperstown teenager accused of assaulting police refused bail

Appearing before the court via videolink was Lucy Bell, 18, from Glengomna Road.

She stands accused of two counts of assault on police, attempted criminal damage, assault and resisting arrest on March 14.

An officer outlined the PSNI’s opposition to granting bail to Miss Bell saying that she had breached bail on numerous occasions, most recently on March 4, March 14 and March 24.

He also said that she was interviewed about an assault on a fellow inmate at Hydebank on April 11.

He further stated that the bail address provided - that of her father - was unacceptable.

Miss Bell’s solicitor asked the officer if all his client’s offences were related to alcohol consumption and if she was to attend counselling if it would help alleviate his fears about reoffending.

The constable replied that Miss Bell had been an attendee at alcohol counselling on March 17 but had been drinking a few days later.

District Judge John Meehan noted that Miss Bell had spent 49 days in prison but said that he did not feel that they were at the stage where that total was in excess of any sentence that a court could hand down.

Refusing bail, Judge Meehan adjourned the case until June 3 for sentencing.