Judge brands woman 'mindboggingly stupid' after intimidation of witness in court
A woman has been charged with intimidation after telling a witness in court to "watch you back".
Georgia Wright (23), of St Patrick's Avenue in Ballymena, was charged with intimidation following the incident at Ballymena Courthouse on May 15 this year.
She was back in the same courtroom for sentencing in recent days.
A prosecutor said a police officer was at the court on May 15 for a contest in which a man was found guilty of assaulting a female.
The defendant was present and had "acted as a witness" for the man.
The prosecutor said: "Following the result police were sitting next to the exit of the court when they heard the defendant say (to the female) 'Watch your back'."
When interviewed the defendant made a full admission and said she said it "because the witness had been lying" and "she wasn't going to do anything, didn't mean anything by it and said it out of anger".
A defence barrister said the incident was "borne out of misguided loyalty".
The lawyer said she "wishes to convey her sincere remorse".
Deputy District Judge Mark Hamill said he was "astonished" that an intimidation of a witness case was being dealt with at the Magistrates' Court and not the Crown Court.
He told the defendant: "You just mouthed off in the earshot of two police officers. You just couldn't control yourself, mindboggingly stupid".
He said he was giving her a one year conditional discharge - "basically a fool's pardon".
Judge Hamill warned her not to re-offend as if the current case was re-opened another judge "may say this is an attack on the criminal justice system and requires an immediate custodial sentence".
The case was heard last Thursday.