Bail denied in Chloe garden damage case

A 38 year old woman, who caused damage to the Chloe Mitchell memorial garden in the Wakehurst Park area of Harryville, had sentencing of a charge of criminal damage adjourned to June 10, 2025.

The image above shows the unveiling of the memorial last year.

Kathryn Barr (38), with an address at Larne Road, appeared at Ballymena Magistrate's Court and admitted the offence which occurred on May 10.

Police were alerted to the incident after comments were posted online concerning damage to the memorial garden - which was erected in memory of 21 year old Chloe Mitchell who was tragically murdered in June 2023.

Police visited the location and attended an address where a resident was able to provide CCTV footage of the incident.

Video evidence showed the defendant entering the garden and scattering decorative stones and flowers as well as causing damage to ornamental items such as butterflies.

The cost of the damage was £200.

The reporting person recognised the defendant and additional CCTV evidence from the area also showed the defendant entering and causing damage to the garden.

Defence counsel said that their client was vulnerable and deserved maximum credit for entering an early plea of guilty.

It was said that, although the defendant is 38 years of age, she believes herself to be 32 years old.

The court heard that the defendant lives alone and has the support of her brother.

However, on the day of the incident, it was said that the defendant and her brother had a falling out. The court was told that the defendant was unaware of the significance of the memorial garden.

Police objected to bail stating that the defendant's address was just 0.3 miles from the memorial garden.

Police also cited concerns for the defendant's safety, informing the court that threats had been made towards the defendant on social media.

Police also pointed out that 17 bench warrants had been issued for the defendant in 2024 and the defendant had 18 previous convictions.

District Magistrate Judge Nigel Broderick said that the defendant "seems to present with a complex background and history".

He said that the case appeared to be "crying out" for some informed information from Probation which would allow the court to make an informed decision regarding sentencing.

Judge Broderick recalled the defendant's previous appearance in court where he said she appeared "somewhat withdrawn" and was self-represented, despite him affording her every opportunity to obtain legal counsel.

Judge Broderick denied bail and said there was a risk of the defendant not turning up given her previous history.

He adjourned the case to June 10 for sentencing, via video-link, and to allow for the preparation of a Pre-Sentence Report.