A woman returned home in Ballymoney to find an intruder in her clothes and a flooded bathroom.
The details emerged during an overnight custody hearing at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court today (September 1) where a police officer believed she could connect the accused to charges before the court.
The police officer testified that at approximately 11:45 AM on Sunday, they received a report from a homeowner who had returned to find a woman in her downstairs bathroom.
The homeowner reported that the intruder had flooded her upstairs bathroom, which caused damage to the floorboards and the kitchen below.
Angel Louise Horner (19), of Carnany Park in the town, faces multiple charges stemming from incidents that occurred on Sunday, August 31.
These charges include burglary with intent to damage property, driving while unfit, driving while disqualified, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, operating a vehicle without insurance, and failing to provide a breath specimen.
The homeowner told police that the defendant was wearing her clothes and had left several of her personal items in a bag near the back door.
Police found the defendant in the downstairs bathroom and she “appeared to be under the influence.”
Earlier that day, officers had received reports of a vehicle being driven erratically, which was later found parked. Upon searching the defendant, the police located the keys to the car, which had been taken from a nearby address.
It was revealed that the defendant had taken the vehicle from a neighbouring property and driven it out onto Kilraughts Road and had stopped there. The defendant informed a member of the public, who was living on Kilraughts Road, that she would return. However, the witness contacted the police believing the defendant to be under the influence.
The officer stated that the residents of the home did not know the defendant.
The defendant was arrested for the offences before the court but later failed to provide a breath sample and refused to be interviewed.
Police opposed bail.
A Defence barrister indicated that the defendant struggles with significant mental health issues, which he attributed to the unusual nature of the incident, however applied to the court for bail at an address approved by the police.
District Judge Peter King said he had “significant doubts” given what he knew about the defendant from the youth court.
Judge King voiced concern about the defendant’s lack of cooperation with police and the court, stating it gave him “zero confidence” in her ability to comply with any bail conditions.
The defendant was remanded in custody, with the case adjourned until September 29, where Judge King expressed the need to have the defendant in court so he could explain any bail conditions to her.
