Suspended sentence for woman who assaulted social worker

The social worker suffered a suspected fractured cheek bone after being punched by Bernadette Conway on December 18, 2014.

Antrim Magistrates Court heard that Conway (56) of Morgans Close, Magherafelt, had denied the charge and maintained her innocence at an earlier contested hearing.

She was convicted following the hearing by District Judge Alan White and a pre-sentence report requested ahead of Tuesday’s sentencing.

Prosecutor Andrew Houston outlined that the social worker had been making a call from a nursing station in the hospital when she was assaulted by Conway, who was a patient at that time.

Mr Houston said the defendant approached the injured party from behind and punched her on the left side of the head and punched her around the head.

He said the social worker suffered a suspected fractured cheek bone and other injuries as a result of the attack.

Conway’s solicitor told the court that “it goes without saying that this kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable”.

“The defendant is not without her problems,” he added.

Defence added there are mental health issues and said the report from probation noted a previous conviction following an incident over a row over a carparking space.

Defence said community service had been deemed not appropriate and suggested a suspended sentence would leave the defendant “accountable for her actions”.

District Judge White said Conway had “completely denied under oath” that she had committed the offence.

He said normal practice in such cases involving hospital staff was to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

Mr White said Conway had a “limited record”, and taking into account the probation report would not send her to jail.

Conway was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

She was also ordered to pay £250 with Mr White noting: “I cannot make you compensate fully because of your limited means.”