Woman burgled house, dressed up in owner’s clothes and flooded property, court hears

Angel-Louise Horner, a 20-year-old woman from Fairview Park, Articlave in Coleraine, Derry, has been charged with burglary, attempted theft, criminal damage, and failing to provide a specimen. On August 31st, 2025, the homeowner of a house on the Kilraughts Road in Ballymoney discovered a female in her property's downstairs bathroom.

The intruder had entered through an upstairs bathroom and had caused flooding, damaging the floorboards and ceiling in the kitchen below. Horner was wearing the homeowner's clothes and had found several of her belongings in an empty handbag. The attempted theft charge related to a vehicle log book, keys, costume jewelry, and tobacco found in the handbag.

Police located Horner in the bathroom, appearing under the influence of alcohol. Earlier in the day, a report was received about a Volkswagen Golf being driven erratically near the burgled house. Horner was found in possession of the car's keys during a search. She refused to provide a blood and urine sample and failed to cooperate with police.

Horner was initially granted bail but breached it in May 2026 by reoffending and was returned to prison custody. She received a suspended four-month sentence in June 2026 for common assault and obstructing police. At her bail hearing on Thursday, Judge Mark Reel imposed four strict conditions: Horner must reside at her home address, avoid contact with the victim, refrain from alcohol consumption, and submit to regular alcohol field tests.

The bail was set at £500 (€585), and the case was adjourned until September 14th, 2026 for an arraignment hearing.