Brandished a knife and then spat at
the police

By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jun 2021, 14:14 BST
Laganside court complex in Belfast city centre.Laganside court complex in Belfast city centre.
Laganside court complex in Belfast city centre.
A woman who brandished a knife in south Belfast and spat at police has been jailed for three months.

Madalina Hart, 27, behaved “erratically” during the incident where armed response officers were deployed, a judge was told.

A defence lawyer said she has led a chaotic lifestyle since being adopted as a child from an orphanage in Romania. Hart, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to possessing a blade and assault on police.

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Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard a man phoned 999 on May 16 this year to report a woman was at a house on Ulsterville Avenue with a knife.

She continued to be aggressive when police arrived. Armed response officers then arrested her.

Defence barrister Sean Mullan told the court his client experienced a troubled upbringing since she was brought to Northern Ireland.

He detailed her mental health problems, as well as episodes of alcohol and drug misuse.

“She has been leading a chaotic lifestyle.... it’s a very sad case,” Mr Mullan added.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall ordered Hart to serve three months custody for the offences.