A woman who allegedly pulled her neighbour by the hair to the ground and assaulted her has been granted bail.

Jill Mary Thompson (43), of Spout Walk, Fivemiletown, is charged with actual bodily harm, harassment and criminal damage following the incident on April 21.

A police officer told Enniskillen Magistrates Court last Monday, April 24, they could connect Thompson, who was appearing via video link from Omagh Police Station, to the three charges.

The officer, objecting to bail for Thompson, outlined the incident which took place at around 8.15pm.

The injured party reported she had been assaulted by Thompson and had a cut to the lip and below the eye, both of which were bleeding.

They told officers they were approached by Thompson and assaulted for no reason, the court heard.

She said Thompson pulled her by the hair to the ground and then she did not know whether she had been punched or kicked on the ground.

The victim told police the pair had verbal altercations as neighbours previously.

In objecting to bail, the officer pointed to the close proximity in which the defendant and victim lived, and the likelihood they would meet, and the potential for interference from Thompson.

The officer said there was a community tension in the area, and felt the safety of both parties would be in jeopardy if Thompson returned.

Thompson’s solicitor, Michael Fahy, asked the officer if there had been previous interference from Thompson, to which she confirmed there had not been, but there had been problems with the pair since 2017.

Mr. Fahy asked if the officer was aware that Thompson had made three complaints about the injured party for harassment, and to confirm if Thompson had made the case of self-defence during interview.

The officer said they were not aware of the complaints, but confirmed Thompson’s case of self-defence.

Mr. Fahy re-iterated there was an ongoing dispute between the pair, and the case of self-defence.

He said it would be “draconian” and unfair if Thompson had to leave her family home, and said the risk of interference was not made out.

Continuing, Mr. Fahy said his client was allowed the presumption of innocence, and strict conditions could be imposed and if breached would put Thompson’s liberty at risk.

He said Thompson had no other address available to her, and the case would likely take a number of months to be dealt with.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said he could understand the position of the possible difficulties with the defendant and injured party living close by, and how that would be policed.

He also pointed out that it could cause difficulties for Thompson on bail if she needed to report any contact.

Judge McStay ruled Thompson was eligible for bail, and warned her to have absolutely no contact with the injured party whatsoever.

He also advised her that if there was contact from the complainant with Thompson, she is to report it to the police.

As well as no contact, Thompson was excluded from Spout Gardens in Fivemiletown.

The case was adjourned to be heard at Dungannon Magistrates Court on May 12.