A woman at the centre of a dramatic incident in County Antrim — in which a car reportedly mounted a pavement and struck her husband before crashing into a garage — is set to face a Crown Court trial in the coming weeks.
Hannah Watters, aged 32, stands accused of a series of serious offences stemming from an alleged domestic altercation that turned violent in broad daylight. The incident occurred shortly after 1pm on Sunday, 21 July 2024, in the usually quiet village of Broughshane, sending shockwaves through the local community.
According to police reports, Watters was allegedly behind the wheel of a vehicle that veered off the road, crashed through a fence and ploughed into the wall of a residential garage. Her husband, who was on foot at the time, narrowly escaped potentially fatal injuries after reportedly diving out of the car’s path.
Attempted Murder Charge Dropped, But Serious Allegations Remain
Initially, Hannah Watters faced a charge of attempted murder following the July 2024 incident in Broughshane. However, that charge has now been officially withdrawn by the prosecution. While no detailed explanation for the withdrawal was provided during the recent court hearing, the Crown has opted to pursue alternative but still serious charges.
These include an allegation of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) to her husband — a charge that still carries significant legal weight. She is also accused of common assault, dangerous driving, and causing substantial criminal damage to property including a fence, a residential garage, and a vehicle.
Despite the downgrading of the original charge, the case continues to be treated with gravity by both law enforcement and the court, given the violent nature of the alleged incident and the potential risk to life involved.
Shocking Crash Caught on Camera
The charges stem from an incident in Broughshane at around 1pm on Sunday, 21 July 2024. According to police, Watters allegedly drove her vehicle through a fence before crashing into the wall of a residential garage.
Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were called to the scene where Watters was found in the driver’s seat with deployed airbags. Emergency crews were required to cut her free from the wreckage before she was taken to hospital.
A police officer told a previous court sitting that CCTV footage showed the defendant’s husband walking when Watters allegedly accelerated the car towards him, veering across the opposite lane and mounting the pavement.
“The accused’s husband is seen diving into a garden area as the car appears to make contact,” the officer reported. “He hits the ground and rolls as the vehicle smashes into the garage.”
Claims of Premeditation
The PSNI investigator noted what appeared to be a calculated intent behind the act. “There appears to be premeditation in respect of the defendant waiting for the victim before driving at him,” the officer said, adding that the vehicle did strike the man and that police believe the actions were deliberate.
The court heard Watters has no prior criminal record.
Judge Highlights Serious Nature of Case
District Judge Nigel Broderick previously acknowledged Watters’ mental health struggles but stressed the gravity of the incident. “It is a very serious case. Had your husband not dived out of the way there could have been a fatality,” he remarked.
Watters was granted continued bail and will now appear for arraignment at Antrim Crown Court on 29 April.
