Woman bailed over Ardoyne ‘loaded gun’
A woman has been released on bail after appearing in court charged with having a loaded gun close to the scene of recent riots in north Belfast.
Norma Elizabeth Crowder, 49, faces charges of possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.
Police claimed the revolver was found in a hide which formed part of decking in the back garden of her Butler Walk property.
The divorced mother-of-two was arrested following police searches in the Ardoyne district last Friday.
Belfast Magistrates Court heard Crowder’s home was located a short distance from the scene of the violence which erupted last week at shop fronts in the area.
Opposing her release, a detective constable said: “Given the recent public disorder we have had and attempts made on police officers lives, it does give concern.”
During questioning the officer said police believe the decking was either built as a hide or had been adapted for that purpose.
He confirmed the German revolver contained six live rounds, with a quantity of other ammunition also recovered.
The detective based his opposition to bail on the suspected risk of flight.
The court was told just over £1,400 in cash was seized from Crowder’s home, while a bank account contained around £7,000.
But a defence solicitor stressed the money came from two road traffic injury compensation claims.
He also pointed out that his client consistently denied knowing anything about the gun during questioning.
Rejecting concerns that Crowder may flee, he said she had lived in the area for nine years and has two daughters living nearby.
Granting bail, Deputy District Judge Rafferty said: “The violence which has recently taken place in the Ardoyne area has been nothing short of a disgraceful reminder of a time which all right-thinking members of society thought had gone into the past.”
As part of the conditions of Crowder’s release, he imposed a night-time curfew and electronic tagging.
The judge also ordered her to report to police three times a week and to surrender her passport.
Crowder was remanded to appear again in court next month.
