Killer sex worker ‘Maggie Headbutt' turns up late to sentencing for carrying weapon
A killer is to be considered for an intensive addiction treatment programme ahead of being sentenced for carrying a weapon in Belfast city centre.
Margaret Henderson (39), known as 'Maggie Headbutt', was arrested with a broken bottle at Royal Avenue on April 17.
She pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place at Belfast Magistrates Court in May.
Henderson initially failed to appear for sentencing at Laganside Courthouse on Thursday, prompting District Judge Anne Marshall to issue an arrest warrant.
After she showed up nearly two hours late, her defence requested she be assessed by the Substance Misuse Court (SMC), which takes an alternative approach to help offenders.
Maggie 'Headbutt' Henderson leaving court
Judge Marshall was told the defendant had been experiencing 'severe migraines' and currently lives outside of Belfast. A request was made to 'respectfully give her one more chance'.
Offenders dealt with through the SMC must follow a rigorous treatment programme, and maintain consistent contact with probation staff and healthcare professionals. They are under the supervision of a judge throughout the entire process, and are subject to scheduled and unannounced drug and alcohol tests.
Successful completion of the programme will be taken into account at sentencing.
Judge Marshall told her: 'I'm not overly optimistic, Ms Henderson, about your prospects on that, given the failure to go to probation and being late today.
Margaret Henderson
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 5th
'It's quite an intense programme with quite a lot of requirements, but I'll give you a chance. Prove me wrong and show me you're suitable for it.'
Henderson was then remanded on continuing bail by consent, and the judge will assess her for a substance misuse court referral on July 17.
Henderson, of The Mount in Belfast, was previously sentenced to six years for what the judge in the case described as a 'horrific' killing.
Victim Eddie Girvan (67) was found bound, gagged and stabbed in his Greenisland home in January 2016.
Initially charged with murder, Henderson later pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.
The court heard she was under the influence of heroin and crystal meth at the time.
Eddie Girvan
Her defence argued her life had spiralled into chaos following the cot death of her infant daughter, leading to long-term drug abuse.
Henderson was arrested after crashing Mr Girvan's car in Belfast.
She had the key to the vehicle in her possession, and a GPS device linked her to the victim's address.
After several failed attempts to contact Mr Girvan, officers forced entry to his home and discovered his body.
The pensioner had been tied to a chair, with a necktie around his throat and a large ball of kitchen roll stuffed in his mouth.
He had suffered two stab wounds, and medical experts said either knife wound or the gag would have been fatal on their own.
Despite the brutality of the crime, Mr Justice Treacy accepted the findings of two forensic psychologists who concluded Henderson did not pose a significant ongoing threat to the public.
Henderson was handed a six-year sentence, with three years in custody and the remainder on licence.
She earned her nickname after her extensive criminal history was revealed in court, which included more than 100 convictions, with many involving violent headbutt attacks on men, women, children and elderly people.
After completing her sentence for the manslaughter of Mr Girvan, Henderson was recalled to prison following a shoplifting offence which led to her licence being revoked.
During her time behind bars she was convicted again — this time for assaulting another inmate.
She received an additional six-month sentence.
In recent years Henderson drew further attention by publicly sharing details of her relationship with fellow offender Laura Nicholl.
Posting a photo of them kissing, Henderson gushed: 'Loving my life and my baby, life is better when you got someone to share it with.'
This article was amended on Friday, June 4 to edit the District Judge's name
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Killer sex worker ‘Maggie Headbutt' turns up late to sentencing for carrying weapon
Sympathetic judge to consider her for strict programme run by special court to help drug addicts A killer is to be considered for an intensive addiction treatment programme ahead of being sentenced for carrying a weapon in Belfast city centre. Margaret Henderson (39), known as 'Maggie Headbutt', was arrested with a broken bottle at Royal Avenue on April 17. She pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place at Belfast Magistrates Court in May. Henderson initially failed to appear for sentencing at Laganside Courthouse on Thursday, prompting District Judge Anne Marshall to issue an arrest warrant. After she showed up nearly two hours late, her defence requested she be assessed by the Substance Misuse Court (SMC), which takes an alternative approach to help offenders. Maggie 'Headbutt' Henderson leaving court Judge Marshall was told the defendant had been experiencing 'severe migraines' and currently lives outside of Belfast. A request was made to 'respectfully give her one more chance'. Offenders dealt with through the SMC must follow a rigorous treatment programme, and maintain consistent contact with probation staff and healthcare professionals. They are under the supervision of a judge throughout the entire process, and are subject to scheduled and unannounced drug and alcohol tests. Successful completion of the programme will be taken into account at sentencing. Judge Marshall told her: 'I'm not overly optimistic, Ms Henderson, about your prospects on that, given the failure to go to probation and being late today. Margaret Henderson Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 5th 'It's quite an intense programme with quite a lot of requirements, but I'll give you a chance. Prove me wrong and show me you're suitable for it.' Henderson was then remanded on continuing bail by consent, and the judge will assess her for a substance misuse court referral on July 17. Henderson, of The Mount in Belfast, was previously sentenced to six years for what the judge in the case described as a 'horrific' killing. Victim Eddie Girvan (67) was found bound, gagged and stabbed in his Greenisland home in January 2016. Initially charged with murder, Henderson later pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. The court heard she was under the influence of heroin and crystal meth at the time. Eddie Girvan Her defence argued her life had spiralled into chaos following the cot death of her infant daughter, leading to long-term drug abuse. Henderson was arrested after crashing Mr Girvan's car in Belfast. She had the key to the vehicle in her possession, and a GPS device linked her to the victim's address. After several failed attempts to contact Mr Girvan, officers forced entry to his home and discovered his body. The pensioner had been tied to a chair, with a necktie around his throat and a large ball of kitchen roll stuffed in his mouth. He had suffered two stab wounds, and medical experts said either knife wound or the gag would have been fatal on their own. Despite the brutality of the crime, Mr Justice Treacy accepted the findings of two forensic psychologists who concluded Henderson did not pose a significant ongoing threat to the public. Henderson was handed a six-year sentence, with three years in custody and the remainder on licence. She earned her nickname after her extensive criminal history was revealed in court, which included more than 100 convictions, with many involving violent headbutt attacks on men, women, children and elderly people. After completing her sentence for the manslaughter of Mr Girvan, Henderson was recalled to prison following a shoplifting offence which led to her licence being revoked. During her time behind bars she was convicted again — this time for assaulting another inmate. She received an additional six-month sentence. In recent years Henderson drew further attention by publicly sharing details of her relationship with fellow offender Laura Nicholl. Posting a photo of them kissing, Henderson gushed: 'Loving my life and my baby, life is better when you got someone to share it with.' This article was amended on Friday, June 4 to edit the District Judge's name
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