Woman sentenced for nightclub assault  

"A PICTURE paints a thousand words,” said Judge Geraldine Carthy as she imposed a suspended sentence on a woman who had pleaded guilty in Carlow District Court to assaulting another woman. Judge Carthy handed Zaneta Wrzodek a six-month sentence, which she suspended for 12 months, while also ordering her to pay €2,000 in compensation for assaulting the woman, causing her harm in The Foundry nightclub, Tullow Street, Carlow on 16 December 2018.

Evidence in the case had been heard at a previous court sitting and Judge Carthy had adjourned the matter until last week for preparation of a probation report. Judge Carthy recalled the case, saying that they had watched CCTV footage of the assault, prompting her to say “a picture paints a thousand words” and that the victim’s injuries were “stark”.

“A person can reasonably go on a night out and expect to go home unassaulted,” she said. “It was her (the defendant’s) decision to put that amount of alcohol into her body and to do what she did.” The court heard that Ms Wrzodek, 22 Dolmen Court, Carlow had wanted to take part in a restorative justice programme whereby she would meet the woman she assaulted. In court last week, the injured party declined to meet her.

Judge Carthy was told that 33-year-old Ms Wrzodek had €2,000 by way of compensation and then ordered the defendant to pay the money to the injured party. She sentenced her to six months’ imprisonment, which she suspended for 12 months. She also ordered her to be of good behaviour, to engage with the Probation Service and to stay away from the other woman.