Woman charged with assault after catching seagull

A 58-year-old woman is accused of attacking people as they tried to free a seagull that had trapped her in south Belfast, according to a court hearing on Tuesday.

Angela Wildman is also accused of using a carton of milk and a long-handled mop as weapons after putting the bird in a gym bag.

Wildman, of Annadale Drive, Belfast, denies three counts of common assault, possessing an offensive weapon in public, disorderly conduct and resisting police in connection with the incident on August 14, 2024.

In court, defense lawyer Damien Trainor admitted the alleged incident seemed bizarre but stressed his client denied having any mental health problems.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard officers were alerted to the incident on Botanic Avenue around midday.

A police officer claimed that after the public tried to free the seagull from the bag, they were “attacked by the defendant with a long-handled mop and a large carton of milk”.

One of those present is said to have been hit by both objects.

The court heard that Wildman then became aggressive towards the arresting officers as they attempted to handcuff him.

Rejecting her bail application, the officer added: “I don’t know that this obsession is about catching wild animals.”

Defense barrister Damien Trainor told the court that “she was brought to the public’s attention because she had managed to catch and looked after a baby seagull,” he said.

“She explained to me that she feeds birds, takes birds home and looks after wildlife.

“She keeps to herself, feeds her birds and cleans her house, does her shopping and comes and goes.”

Ms Wildman, who will contest the allegations at a future hearing, was released on bail due to the six-week sentence.