District Judge Ted Magill has warned that attacks on police officers and National Health Service staff in Derry have reached unacceptable levels, describing the situation as out of control. He made the remarks while dealing with two separate cases before the Magistrates' Court.

In the first case, Laura Holden, aged 33 and of Knockena, admitted charges of assault, assault on police, and disorderly behaviour. The offences occurred on November 3 on Patrick Street, where police were called to reports of an intoxicated woman who had spat at another person. Holden was later located at Rockmills and kicked out at officers. She told investigators she had been drinking all day and had no memory of the incident.

Holden had 46 previous convictions, including 14 suspended sentences from the Magistrate's Court and three from the Crown Court. Judge Magill stated that if suspended sentences were to carry any weight, courts must activate them unless there were compelling reasons not to. Holden was sentenced to nine months in prison.

In a separate case, Laura Mullan, 20, of Elmwood Road, faced multiple charges including assaulting police and spitting at healthcare workers. The court heard that on January 8, Mullan attacked officers after being stopped by police. On January 12, she was taken to hospital after a member of the public raised concerns, and there she threatened to spit on staff and assaulted police again.

Further incidents occurred at Gransha Hospital, where on April 9 Mullan attempted to obtain hot water to throw at someone and spat at another individual. She also admitted disorderly behaviour at Altnagelvin Hospital on May 6 of the previous year. In another episode at Gransha, she spat at three members of staff.

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman told the court that Mullan's behaviour had improved. Judge Magill remarked that such conduct was unsustainable and that protection of the public, police, and NHS personnel must take priority over the needs of individuals experiencing difficulties.

The judge deferred sentence for six months, warning Mullan that if she stayed out of trouble she would avoid immediate custody, but any further offending would almost certainly result in a lengthy prison term. The case will be reviewed on December 4.