A Tandragee woman has been given a five-month suspended sentence after striking and leaving a woman having to receive four stitches around her eyebrow.
Joanne Machaella Liggett, 50, of Tullyhugh Park, appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Friday charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.
The incident took place on July 29, last year, when police were called to a bar in Portadown after the report of an assault.
Court heard that an argument had broken out between the defendant and bar staff. The injured party had come over to try and defuse the situation.
Liggett continued to shout and struck the injured party, who then was taken to the hospital and given four stitches beside her eyebrow.
The defendant was identified by police through the CCTV on the premises.
Liggett made no comment during interviews with the police.
Defence counsel told the court that the defendant “did not have a lengthy record”.
They continued to explain that Liggett, prior to the incident, decided to leave the bar but had been unable to get a taxi.
The court was told that the defendant then went back to the bar and continued drinking.
The defence told District Judge Bernie Kelly that the assault was “not a sustained or premeditated attack”.
Court also heard that the defendant was extremely remorseful for her actions.
It was also heard that Liggett had come on difficult time, she realised the impact alcohol had on her and was suffering from illness.
Judge Kelly stated that this was a “particularly nasty attack”, adding that “your medical condition doesn’t stop you getting blocked”.
Liggett was sentenced to five months in prison suspended for two years.
