Brandished a knife and then spat at
the police

A woman who brandished a knife in south Belfast and spat at police has been jailed for three months.
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.

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.