Criminal with 76 prior convictions accused of breaking woman's false teeth in street fight

A woman has been accused of breaking another woman's false teeth during an assault, Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

Paula Kelly (29) of no fixed abode appeared charged with stealing a mobile phone, assault on a female, possessing Pregablin and criminal damage to the false teeth.

All of the offences were said to have occurred on May 12.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 

The court heard that police received a report of two women fighting in the Clon Elagh area of Derry. 

Kelly was in the street with bags and the altercation occurred with the other woman. 

Kelly had been staying in the address with the alleged victim in the case. 

When police arrived a mobile phone was found on Kelly and a bank card in the name of the alleged victim's mother.

The court heard that police also found 10 Pregablin tablets. 

The police officer told the court that the defendant was arrested at 1.50pm on May 12 but was not deemed fit to be interviewed until 10.15am the next day.

At interview Kelly said that she had shared a cell in Hydebank with the attempted victim's mother who had asked her to get the phone and bank card from her daughter's house. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and the court heard Kelly had 76 previous convictions. 

The officer also said there was no suitable address for the defendant. 

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said his client claimed she had been asked to retrieve the items.

He said that Kelly would claim she was acting in self defence and asked for bail to an address acceptable to police. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Kelly had a drug problem and there was no evidence she had tried to deal with it. 

He refused bail and remanded Kelly in custody to appear again on June 6.