Drunken woman assaulted police officer assisting paramedics called to her Sunderland home

Abbie Heskett, 20, pushed the police officer into a door at her home in Tadcaster Road, Thorney Close, Sunderland – and also kicked him on the shins.

Despite attempts to restrain her, she lunged at him, mouth open, but did not connect during the altercation at around 1.15am on Monday, February 17, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

Heskett pleaded guilty to an assault by beating against an emergency worker that magistrates were told she could not remember – and her case was adjourned for reports into her mental health and lifestyle.

Prosecutor Clare Irving said: “Police officers were called to this lady’s address. When they arrived, her boyfriend said he had called an ambulance about concerns for her. It was clear that she was drunk.

“The ambulance arrived, and she was agitated and uncooperative and was told she had to be seen by a doctor.

“[The officer] said that he would escort her into the ambulance. She was arguing and had to be restrained. She pushed him against a door, and she kicked him on the shin.

“She lunged at the same officer with an open mouth, and she was cautioned, and she was again restrained and had to be put on the floor and handcuffed. She remained agitated in custody.

“The officer feels disgusted by her actions towards him. She admitted that she had no right to assault the officer and that she was drunk.

“She said that she had no memory of what had happened in the ambulance. She also confirmed that she had smoked cannabis and taken cocaine.”

Chris Wilson, defending, said: “The telephone call was made by Abbie. She has little or no recollection of the incident.

“She is in the care of the hospital, she has significant mental health issues. She was on medication.

“It’s had an adverse effect on her, and she’s behaved in a way she would not normally have behaved. She is embarrassed to be in court.”

The case was adjourned for sentencing to the same court on April 22.