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

A female accused of knocking a 95-12 months-previous pensioner to the ground and snatching £200 she had gathered for a Ukrainian war charity is to be barred from Belfast town centre, a Superior Court decide ordered today.

he prohibition was imposed on Aoife McDowell as component of disorders below which she was granted bail.

McDowell, 26, of Bell Steel Manor in Belfast, faces costs of robbery, leading to grievous bodily harm, theft, and possession of cannabis in connection with an assault carried out final month in broad daylight.

The aged target experienced a fractured shoulder, comprehensive facial accidents and used many times in clinic.

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

Prosecutors mentioned she was knocked to the floor by a woman who grabbed her purse that contains £200 in dollars.

The pensioner experienced collected the revenue for a Ukrainian war charm and was attacked as she made her way to deliver it to a charity.

McDowell is allegedly linked by CCTV and apparel evidence.

She was found leaving a close by Boots keep adhering to the suspected theft of £71 truly worth of cosmetics and going for walks to Castle Lane, a former courtroom heard.

Though the robbery was not captured on CCTV, prosecutors declare footage exhibits her fleeing the scene seconds later.

Police afterwards searched her property, discovering a quantity of suspected hashish and garments said to match objects that a witness explained the robber as wearing.

The courtroom was advised she has been injecting cocaine and allegedly carried out the robbery to fund her drug habit.

McDowell denies the expenses, declaring she had been at residence and then with a good friend.

Defence counsel Sean Mullan stated his consumer is conscious of her addiction issues and has voluntarily sought enable from a GP.

The barrister included that her relatives are prepared to rally round and present the vital guidance.

Granting bail to the accused, Mr Justice Horner imposed rigorous conditions aimed at making sure no potential even further offences.

“I have noticed the pictures (of the victim’s accidents) and I just could not countenance that chance,” he mentioned.

McDowell was barred from getting in contact with any witnesses and directed to get aid from a drug addiction support.

The judge also confirmed: “There is an exclusion from Belfast city centre, apart from attending court docket.”