Sisters attackedanother woman

TWO sisters who assaulted another woman at Charles Street have been told they were fortunate their victim was not more seriously injured.

Laura Millar (27), of Carrickvale Manor, Lurgan was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily Harm.

Her sister Orlagh Theresa Millar (19), of Cherrytree Walk, Lurgan was charged with grievous bodily harm and driving without due care and attention.

Thursday's sitting of Craigavon Magistrates Court was told police had received a report of an assault at Charles Street on January 17 this year.

The injured party had alleged she had been assaulted by both defendants. CCTV footage from the Courthouse Bar showed the assault.

The injured party had received bruising to her face and had been referred to a specialist for treatment for a dislocated jaw.

Both defendants were interviewed and Orlagh Millar admitted grabbing and kicking the injured party.

Laura Millar admitted grabbing the injured party and shouting at her.

A second person had alleged Orlagh Millar had driven her car in a dangerous manner, almost hitting her.

Defending solicitor Conor Downey said the driving charge had been reduced from dangerous driving to that of driving without due care and attention. The car, he said, had been parked outside a takeaway and said the second party's behaviour left a lot to be desired: "I'm surprised no proceedings have been brought against her, she is seen throwing punches into the car."

Millar had been attempting to drive off, he said, when the car was attacked and she mounted the pavement to do a u-turn: "The speed was very slow and appears to have been a misjudgement."

Mr Downey said the defendants accepted their behaviour had been totally unacceptable.

The sisters, he said, had "a long, ongoing bad relationship - a sour relationship - with the injured party".

He said they had shown remorse and added Laura Millar had played the lesser part in the incident, while Orlagh Millar admitted she carried out the assault.

He asked District Judge Alan White to give them maximum credit for their remorse and co-operation with the Probation Service who had prepared a pre-sentence report.

Mr White said: "This was an extremely serious assault. When you pull someone to the ground and kick them, as Orlagh Millar clearly did, it can can cause serious injury or even death. It is fortunate the injuries were not as serious as that.

"I have no time for people who kick someone on the ground."

He sentenced Orlagh Millar to six months in a Young Offenders' Centre suspended for three years.

Mr White ordered her to pay 250 compensation.

On the careless driving charge he imposed a 75 fine and endorsed five points on her licence.

Turning to Laura Millar he said while she was less involved than her sister she had dragged the injured party to the ground which had allowed the assault to take place.

He imposed a two month prison term suspended for three years.

Mr White ordered her to pay 150 compensation.

He said: "The probation report says you are at a low risk of re-offending. I hope that's right and I won't see you again."