Woman officer bail attempt fails

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A police officer accused of trying to murder a colleague has failed in a legal bid to be sent to jail.

Lawyers for Diane Marie Northcott, 40, told Belfast High Court she wanted her bail revoked.

But Lord Justice Higgins refused the application, saying no valid reason had been given.

Ms Northcott is charged with shooting Laurence Smyth last September at Newtownabbey police station. She has made no reply to the charges.

Mr Smyth, who was shot in the leg and neck, is still recovering from the injuries he sustained in the attack.

Ms Northcott, whose address was given in court as Newtownabbey PSNI station, was briefly sent to jail but was freed on bail in October.

Her lawyer told the court: "She has not been in breach of her conditions, she has not come to police attention.

"Her instructions are that she simply wants to revoke her bail."

Refusing the application, Lord Justice Higgins said she had been granted bail because the courts had deemed her suitable for release from custody.