A Craigavon woman who threatened to break the legs of her daughter’s neighbour has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Addressing the 53-year-old, the district judge stated: “There are two basic rules when it comes to parenting. Number one, do not believe everything your child tells you. Number two, never get involved in a row over your child. You broke both of the golden rules in one fell swoop.”
Audrey Sharpe, of Drumbeg, pleaded guilty to one count of common assault at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on December 19, at 5.10pm, police received a report of an assault in Craigavon.
The injured party claimed she had been approached by the defendant, who was the mother of a neighbour, and a verbal argument ensued.
The female victim recorded Sharpe as she made threats to break her legs. This footage was seized by police who made a positive identification of the defendant.
Sharpe attended Lurgan police station for a voluntary interview. During this she admitted threatening the injured party with a bat but claimed she did not have such an item in her possession.
Defence barrister Scott McWhinney stated that although his client appeared with just one relevant entry in her record, dating back to 2012, he accepted the nature of this offence would be of concern.
He added: “I would ask your worship to stay your hand in relation to immediate custody as Ms Sharpe does suffer from poor health.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “Her poor health did not stop her terrorising her neighbours. Ms Sharpe, there are two basic rules when it comes to parenting. Number one, do not believe everything your child tells you.
“Number two, never get involved in a row over your child. You broke both of the golden rules in one fell swoop”.
Sharpe was sentenced to two months in prison suspended for 18 months, while a restraining order was also put in place for a period of two years in relation to the injured party.
