Courts / Dublin / Report
Shoplifter threw boiling water at worker's face in episode of "wanton violence"
Summary
Michelle Ruth, 40, of Spring Garden Street, North Strand, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting a female shop worker at Londis on 8 November 2015. She had previously been barred from the shop and, when the staff member asked her and a male companion to leave, Ruth grabbed the woman by the hair, filled a paper cup with boiling water and flung it at her face, also throwing a jar of powdered chocolate. The victim suffered a sore, swollen, red face and was taken to hospital; she later reported mental distress but no physical scarring. Ruth, who has 158 prior convictions mainly for shoplifting and public order offences, was arrested after CCTV footage identified her. She apologized in court, claiming she was not drug‑free and had been under stress. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to allow further urine analysis, with the case to be finalised on 14 November.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Shoplifter threw boiling water at worker's face in episode of "wanton violence". Charges or matters: assaulting a female staff member causing her harm at Londis, O'Connell Street in Dublin on November 8, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 8, 2015 Adjournment
- November 14 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-10-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assaulting a female staff member causing her harm at Londis, O'Connell Street in Dublin on November 8, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge adjourned sentencing to allow for further urine analysis after she questioned whether Ruth is drug-free.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- O'Connell Street
- Spring Garden Street
- Dublin
Topics
Drugs Public Order Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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