18/02/2008
Guilty Plea On Police Colleague Shooting
An affair between two serving police officers has left one party confined to a wheelchair and another looking at a substantial custodial sentence for shooting her lover.
The policewoman has admitted trying to kill her former lover when she shot him with her police issue handgun.
The pair had been having an affair, but after he tried to end the relationship she shot him twice in the neck and thigh.
Diane Northcott, 41, pleaded guilty in Belfast Crown court today to the attempted murder of Sergeant Laurence Smyth. She was released on bail.
Judge Mr Justice Hart adjourned passing sentence until April.
Following her guilty plea, Sergeant Smyth was brought into court in his wheelchair.
Judge Mr Justice Hart warned the policewoman to be under no illusion that being granted bail "in anyway indicates the sentence you are going to receive - it will inevitably be a substantial one".
Prosecution QC Philip Mateer said the judge is "familiar with the background and the emotional instability" Northcott had been displaying but that overall, the Crown could have no fears over her being granted bail.
Both officers were serving together in Whiteabbey Police Station in Co Antrim.
The shooting occurred inside the station premises itself in September 2006.
See: Policewoman remanded over shooting
(BMcC)
The policewoman has admitted trying to kill her former lover when she shot him with her police issue handgun.
The pair had been having an affair, but after he tried to end the relationship she shot him twice in the neck and thigh.
Diane Northcott, 41, pleaded guilty in Belfast Crown court today to the attempted murder of Sergeant Laurence Smyth. She was released on bail.
Judge Mr Justice Hart adjourned passing sentence until April.
Following her guilty plea, Sergeant Smyth was brought into court in his wheelchair.
Judge Mr Justice Hart warned the policewoman to be under no illusion that being granted bail "in anyway indicates the sentence you are going to receive - it will inevitably be a substantial one".
Prosecution QC Philip Mateer said the judge is "familiar with the background and the emotional instability" Northcott had been displaying but that overall, the Crown could have no fears over her being granted bail.
Both officers were serving together in Whiteabbey Police Station in Co Antrim.
The shooting occurred inside the station premises itself in September 2006.
See: Policewoman remanded over shooting
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
14 May 2012
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
24 October 2013
PSNI Appeal For Information About West Belfast Shooting
The PSNI have appeal for witnesses to or any one with any information about a shooting incident in west Belfast on Wednesday night. A man was shot in the leg at Creeslough Gardens at around 21:30 on Wednesday night. It is understood that victim is in his 40s and his injuries are not life threatening.
PSNI Appeal For Information About West Belfast Shooting
The PSNI have appeal for witnesses to or any one with any information about a shooting incident in west Belfast on Wednesday night. A man was shot in the leg at Creeslough Gardens at around 21:30 on Wednesday night. It is understood that victim is in his 40s and his injuries are not life threatening.
20 February 2014
Man Arrested In Bangor Shooting Investigation
A man has been arrested by detectives investigating the attempted murder of two men in Bangor. The male victims, aged 24 and 33, were shot as they sat in a car in the Eastway area of the Whitehill estate at about 00:45 on 10 February. UTV has reported that the UVF are thought to have been behind the attack.
Man Arrested In Bangor Shooting Investigation
A man has been arrested by detectives investigating the attempted murder of two men in Bangor. The male victims, aged 24 and 33, were shot as they sat in a car in the Eastway area of the Whitehill estate at about 00:45 on 10 February. UTV has reported that the UVF are thought to have been behind the attack.
25 February 2016
Two Arrested Following West Belfast Shooting Released On Bail
Two men arrested in connection with a shooting in west Belfast have been released on police bail. The pair, aged 25 and 35, were detained in the Aspen Walk area of Dunmurry after a man was shot in the leg in the Glasvey Drive area on Tuesday. The victim is believed to be in a stable condition in hospital.
Two Arrested Following West Belfast Shooting Released On Bail
Two men arrested in connection with a shooting in west Belfast have been released on police bail. The pair, aged 25 and 35, were detained in the Aspen Walk area of Dunmurry after a man was shot in the leg in the Glasvey Drive area on Tuesday. The victim is believed to be in a stable condition in hospital.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.