News Police assault lands mother in trouble
A mother-of-three who kicked two police officers and sat on her friend's knee to stop them arresting her has been given a conditional discharge.
Michelle Dennis (23), of Percy Street in Old Goole, admitted two charges of assaulting a police officer when she appeared in the town's magistrates' court on Tuesday.
Prosecuting, Julie Laverack Glanville said that the police were called to deal with an assault at the Macintosh Arms in the early hours of last Monday.
"A male friend of the defendant was arrested on suspicion of causing harassment, alarm or distress,' said Mrs Laverack Glanville.
The court heard that the man was passively resisting arrest when Miss Dennis sat on his knee, wrapping her legs around him.
She was told by a police sergeant that she would have to get off, but did not react.
Warned again, she said: "F**k off", and repeated the reply when she was asked again.
The sergeant took hold of the defendant's wrist to pull her away, and she kicked out at him, catching him on the inside of his thigh.
Another police officer arrived on the scene, and Miss Dennis also kicked her, Mrs Laverack Glanville said. In total, she kicked both police officers three times each but did not cause any lasting injury.
Miss Dennis was arrested and taken to Beverley Police Station, where she admitted obstructing the police in their duty and assaulting them.
Defending, Jason Nicolson said Miss Dennis was a full-time mother who did not often drink.
"She had gone to a christening and then to a public house," he said. "Clearly the alcohol had affected her judgment.
"She was in the lavatory when the police spoke to the male. She came out, oblivious to the fact that he had been put under arrest and that he was passively resisting arrest.
"She accepts that her language was inappropriate and she should have co-operated with the police at that stage.
"She is genuinely regretful of her actions on the night in question."
Magistrates gave Miss Dennis a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered her to pay £50 in compensation to both police officers. She will also have to pay £55 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Published on 29th November 2007 in News.
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