Bye, Bye Miss American Pie
An American escort has received a two month jail term for assaulting a woman and stealing her handbag.
Nancy Fickus, of College View, Strand Road, had already served the time after spending more than five weeks on remand for the charges.
However, the 45-year-old has been taken into custody to await deportation by immigration services.
Previous court hearings were told that Fickus was an escort and had advertised her services on a website under the name 'American Pie.'
A bail hearing earlier this year also heard that the assault was the result of a territory dispute with a Dutch rival. Yesterday, at Derry Magistrate's Court, a prosecutor said police were called to Strand Road on January 29 last by the injured party.
She reported that Fickus had knocked her to the ground, sat on top of her and "repeatedly banged her head on the floor."
Fickus pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman and stealing her handbag, which contained 1,200 in cash, credit cards, driving licence and a passport.
A defence solicitor told the court there was "acrimony between these two ladies" and there had been a lot of alcohol consumed on the night.
He added that "certain persons who were involved with the injured party came and threatened Fickus on a number of occasions."
The solicitor said Fickus wanted to return to America "as soon as possible" to live with her mother.
Passing sentence, District Judge Barney McElholm said it was a "nasty incident."
A forfeiture application in relation to the 1,200 in the stolen handbag and a further 3,000 discovered by police after a search of Fickus' home, was adjourned until June 4 to make the injured party aware of the proceedings.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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