‘Selfie’ taken as lit firework pushed through a letterbox in Larne
A ‘selfie’ was taken as a lit firework was pushed through a letterbox in Larne at six o'clock in the morning, a court has heard
Details were given to Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday where Laura Knox (33), with an address at Curran Road in Larne, was sentenced on a criminal damage charge.
A prosecutor told an earlier court that around 6am on November 26 in 2022 a woman said a "smoke bomb" had been put through her letterbox.
The prosecutor said: "It was ascertained it was actually a lit firework had been placed through her door and detonated inside, causing damage to the walls and skirting boards".
The court was told the woman "immediately assumed the suspect to be the defendant" and made contact with her via Snapchat "to accuse her about that incident. There was a history between the parties".
The court heard a male co-accused had already been dealt with over the firework incident and had received 200 hours Community Service.
The prosecutor said the defendant and the male had walked in the direction of the woman's house with a dog and the male was "carrying what looked like a firework rocket under his arm".
District Judge Nigel Broderick said: "I remember this case. Is this the one they took a selfie when they were doing it?" The prosecutor replied: "Yes, I think there was something to do with that".
The prosecutor continued: "Yes, there was a photograph on their phones". It was taken around 5.50am and said: 'Late night strolls'.
The prosecutor said the Housing Executive had been asked for details about damage regarding a compensation amount but no response was forthcoming.
Knox's defence barrister said the defendant "accepted a selfie had been sent at one stage and that she was outside at that hour and she was the person on CCTV".
The barrister said Knox and the co-accused had animosity towards the woman in the property. He said Knox had "stayed out of trouble".
Judge Broderick told her: "It is a serious thing to be going out at six in the morning and putting fireworks through someone's letterbox. A home is meant to be a safe environment, not to be attacked".
Knox was given a three months prison term, suspended for a year.