West Belfast woman who ‘snatched’ one-year-old child in Park Centre handed suspended sentence
The mother of the child confronted the woman and took her child back
The Park Centre is a popular shopping centre in West Belfast
A 43-year-old woman who snatched a one-year-old child in a Belfast shopping centre has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
The incident happened at the Park Centre in West Belfast on March 18, 2023. The child's mother was pushing her daughter in a buggy when the woman approached and grabbed the child.
The mother confronted the woman and took her child back. The woman then left the shopping centre.
The police were called and the woman was later arrested. She was charged with child abduction.
At Belfast Crown Court on Thursday, the woman was sentenced to a two-year prison sentence, suspended for three years.
Judge Neil Rafferty said the woman had "acted impulsively" and had "no malicious intent". He said she had shown remorse for her actions and was at a low risk of re-offending.
The judge also ordered the woman to complete 100 hours of community service.
The child's mother said she was "relieved" that the woman had been sentenced.
"I'm just glad that my daughter is safe and that she wasn't hurt," she said.
The Park Centre is a popular shopping centre in West Belfast. It is home to a number of shops, restaurants and cafes.
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