Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for mentally ill woman who held knife to mother's throat

Date
2016-11-21

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Carol Sanders, aged 50, was given an 18‑month suspended sentence for holding a knife to her mother's throat during an attack on 24 November 2015. The incident occurred after Sanders learned her sister, a successful businesswoman, was returning from Canada, which triggered jealousy and anger. Sanders, an alcoholic with a personality disorder, pleaded guilty to producing a weapon in a manner likely to intimidate her mother, Mary Sanders, and to assault. She threw a dinner plate, called her mother "you have to die", kicked her mother several times, attempted to choke her, and used a carving knife to threaten her. Mary escaped and alerted Gardaí, later obtaining a barring order. The judge described the charge as very serious and imposed the suspended sentence on strict conditions. Sanders spent two months in custody, is now in supervised accommodation, and has increased medication and abstained from alcohol. She also submitted a letter of apology to the court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for mentally ill woman who held knife to mother's throat. Charges or matters: producing a weapon in a manner likely to intimidate her mother, Mary Sanders. Procedural stage: sentence

When: