Woman accused of robbing 95-year-old woman to be barred from Belfast city centre

A female accused of knocking a 95-12 months-aged pensioner to the floor and snatching £200 she experienced collected for a Ukrainian war charity is to be barred from Belfast town centre, a Higher Court docket choose purchased nowadays.

he prohibition was imposed on Aoife McDowell as portion of situations beneath which she was granted bail.

McDowell, 26, of Bell Steel Manor in Belfast, faces prices of theft, triggering grievous bodily harm, theft, and possession of hashish in connection with an assault carried out past month in wide daylight.

The elderly sufferer suffered a fractured shoulder, in depth facial injuries and invested numerous times in medical center.

She was specific in the Castle Lane space of the town centre on March 10.

Prosecutors said she was knocked to the floor by a woman who grabbed her purse containing £200 in dollars.

The pensioner had gathered the funds for a Ukrainian war attraction and was attacked as she produced her way to produce it to a charity.

McDowell is allegedly linked by CCTV and clothing proof.

She was viewed leaving a nearby Boots retailer subsequent the suspected theft of £71 really worth of cosmetics and going for walks in direction of Castle Lane, a preceding court read.

Even though the theft was not captured on CCTV, prosecutors assert footage displays her fleeing the scene seconds later on.

Police later on searched her home, discovering a amount of suspected cannabis and garments stated to match goods that a witness explained the robber as sporting.

The court docket was advised she has been injecting cocaine and allegedly carried out the robbery to fund her drug practice.

McDowell denies the costs, saying she experienced been at house and then with a buddy.

Defence counsel Sean Mullan explained his consumer is conscious of her addiction difficulties and has voluntarily sought assistance from a GP.

The barrister extra that her family members are completely ready to rally round and provide the important assist.

Granting bail to the accused, Mr Justice Horner imposed strict conditions aimed at ensuring no opportunity more offences.

“I have witnessed the photographs (of the victim’s injuries) and I basically could not countenance that possibility,” he explained.

McDowell was barred from getting in touch with any witnesses and directed to get support from a drug habit support.

The choose also confirmed: “There is an exclusion from Belfast town centre, aside from attending court.”