Spurned policewoman 'shot lover'

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A policewoman tried to murder a fellow officer after he told her their affair was over, the High Court has heard.

The court heard Laurence Smyth, who was shot in the neck in Newtownabbey police station last month, might be paralysed.

Part-time reservist Diane Northcott, 40, who is accused of attempting to murder him, was applying for bail.

The defence said she was drunk and was going to shoot herself, but got into a row. The judge said he would grant bail if she found a suitable place to live.

The bail application had been opposed by the prosecution, who told the court she was not on duty when she arrived at the station after drinking a bottle and a half of wine.

The Crown view is that she is suffering from depression and there is also a question about abuse of alcohol which makes her unstable Prosecution lawyer He said that when Sergeant Smyth told her their relationship was over she went to her locker and armed herself with her police issue pistol.

The court heard allegations that she then shot him in the thigh and then as he fled she shot him again, striking him in the neck.

The bullet struck his spinal cord and a neuro-surgeon's provisional assessment was that he might be paralysed from the neck down, he said.

She is very apologetic and hopes he has a speedy recovery Defence lawyer "The Crown view is that she is suffering from depression and there is also a question about abuse of alcohol which makes her unstable," he added.

A defence lawyer said she admitted shooting Sergeant Smyth.

"She is very apologetic and hopes he has a speedy recovery," he said. "She says she doesn't know what came over her."

Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr adjourned the application to enable the defence to get written confirmation about hostel accommodation for Ms Northcott.

"I think it is fair that I should say that if a suitable address can be found and that she can receive the help she needs that I will be disposed to grant her bail," he said.