A Banbridge woman who damaged her neighbour’s Audi with a folding chair whilst intoxicated has been ordered to pay a fine of £200 and compensation of £250.
The 50-year-old’s solicitor told court that although his client accepted causing some damage to the car she did believe the £3,458 valuation of this was “excessive”.
Stephanie McLoughlin, of Church Street, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Newry Magistrates’ Court, via videolink from her solicitor’s office.
Prosecution outlined that on July 2, at 1.49am, the injured party reported that his neighbour, the defendant, had damaged his Audi car after striking it with a folding chair.
Upon arrival, officers observed deep scratches on the bonnet and passenger side door of the car.
The injured party showed police camera footage which showed McLoughlin hitting the passenger side of the vehicle with a folding chair.
The defendant was arrested and during interview commented that she could not remember the incident due to her consumption of alcohol but admitted that it was her in the footage.
Defence solicitor John Murphy stated that his client had been fully co-operative with police upon arrest and that although she had a record these were not of a “disorderly or violent” nature.
He commented: “She has problems with alcohol and her mental health……she got a few dogs which were helping to keep her occupied but there had been complaints and these dogs were taken off her as a result.”
The solicitor added that although McLoughlin accepted causing some damage to the car she did believe the £3,458 valuation of this was “excessive”.
District Judge Eamonn King ordered the defendant to pay compensation of £250 and a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
