Woman entered terminally ill man’s home ‘by mistake’ and stole soft drink, court told

A woman accused of entering a terminally ill man’s home and stealing his soft drink claims she was there by accident, a court heard.
Laganside CourtsLaganside Courts
Laganside Courts

Noreen Mallon, 50, also allegedly tried to take a mobile phone from the house in Monkstown, Newtownabbey.

The alleged victim has died since the incident on November 27 last year, police disclosed.

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Mallon, of Greyabbey Gardens in Newtownabbey, faces charges of theft and attempted theft.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the terminally ill man was sitting on the sofa when someone arrived at his house.

With the front door unlocked to allow access to nurses, he thought the visitor was a carer and invited them in.

A PSNI officer claimed Mallon entered and stated: “I need a drink.”

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When the man asked her to leave she allegedly tried to seize his mobile phone before taking a bottle of lemonade.

The intruder left after dropping her handbag during a suspected struggle.

CCTV footage shows Mallon going into the house with a bag and leaving without it, according to police.

During interviews she claimed she went to the man’s home by mistake while staying in the area with a friend.

She denied taking any belongings during the incident.

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Prosecutors confirmed their intention to rely on evidence obtained from the alleged victim before his death.

Seeking bail for Mallon, defence counsel Liam McStay argued she has now served the equivalent of a 10-month sentence in custody.

“She indicates that she went in by accident, and the injured party detained her by grabbing her handbag,” the barrister said.

Bail was granted.