A Motherwell woman appeared in court for kicking a police officer in the groin while visiting Newcastle for a music event.
Mum-of-three Frances Hoey was separated from friends and sitting on the ground outside the Leonardo Hotel in Newcastle city centre, armed with a half-empty bottle of gin, when the cops showed up.
Newcastle Magistrates’ Court heard that officers suspected the 28-year-old was carrying cannabis skunk and she was told she was going to be searched, reports Chronicle Live.
Hoey, of Motherwell, took exception to this and when cops put a handcuff on one of her wrists, she lashed out and kicked one officer in the groin.
Prosecutors said that the victim suffered immediate pain and Hoey was quickly arrested for assaulting an emergency worker. She pleaded guilty to the offence when appearing in court.
Prosecutor, Stephen Davies, said police were called to the The Leonardo Hotel at around 11.40am on May 2 this year.
Mr Davies continued: “They found the defendant sat outside the hotel on the ground.
“She was in possession of a bag and a half-empty bottle of gin. She was clearly intoxicated and, close to where she was sat on the ground, was a plastic bag, which police believed contained cannabis skunk.
“As a result, they told her she was going to be searched. She began to struggle. She was handcuffed to the right wrist but she continued to struggle.”
The court heard that Hoey, who has a previous conviction for assaulting an police officer, then lashed out with her foot and was arrested soon after.
Andy O’Hanlon, defending, said Hoey worked as a postwoman, was thoroughly ashamed and suffered from mental health difficulties.
Mr O’Hanlon continued: “She came to the area for a music event with friends.
“She couldn’t handle the amount of alcohol she drank and she became separated from her friends and became tired and emotional. Police question her and a man [a police officer] put his hands on her and she’s become semi-hysterical.”
Fining Hoey £240 and ordering her to pay £150 compensation, District Judge Kate Meek said: “You kicked the officer with a shod foot, which counts as the equivalent of using a weapon.”
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