A 42-year-old Ballymena woman who punched another female in the face while riding an e-scooter has been jailed for three months. Leanne Williamson, of Burma Place, committed the assault on June 3 in the town centre, just days after her release from prison for previous offending.

Police spotted Williamson on the e-scooter at 10:15am, aware that she was disqualified from driving. She then struck the victim several times, and officers witnessed her making threats to kill the injured party.

Upon arrest, Williamson was abusive and threatened to spit in a constable’s face. She later pleaded guilty to assault, assault on police, driving while disqualified, and using an e-scooter without insurance. A charge of making a threat to kill was withdrawn by the prosecution.

At Ballymena Magistrates Court, a defence barrister argued the assault was an isolated incident for which Williamson was remorseful, claiming there had been provocation. The lawyer said she now understands she must not operate an e-scooter. The defence requested an adjournment for a pre-sentence report and asked that Williamson be granted bail in the interim.

District Judge Nigel Broderick refused bail, stating he would not release her given the risk to the public. He noted the potential consequences if she were to cause a fatal collision while on bail. The judge imposed a three-month custodial sentence, an 18-month driving disqualification, and a one-year restraining order.

The court heard Williamson has a history of e-scooter offences. In October 2023 she was caught using one without insurance or a driving licence, and she appeared in court for a similar matter in September 2024. The police seized the e-scooter involved in the June 3 incident, and the prosecution applied for its forfeiture. Judge Broderick declined to confiscate it, observing that ownership is not illegal and the vehicle may be used on private land.