Handcuffed woman kicked cop putting her in police van after Sunderland disturbance

Laura Metcalf, 33, of Dene Street, Silksworth, turned aggressive after officers were called to Pitcairn Road, Pennywell, on Sunday, November 15.

Metcalf connected with the police officer’s hand, causing him immediate pain, a court heard.

She admitted to magistrates in South Tyneside, who heard she was battling booze, that she was ashamed of her actions.

They ordered her to undergo rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and to pay the PC £50 compensation.

Prosecutor Ian Martin said: “It appears that officers were dealing with an incident.

“The defendant had been arrested and taken to the rear of the van and put into the van to go to the police station.

“As the officer went to close the interior door of the van, the defendant has lashed out with her feet and connected with the officer’s left hand.

“It caused the officer immediate pain and discomfort. This is the long and short of it in reality.”

Tom Morgan, defending, said: “She has been living at her mother’s home.

“It’s there that she has been engaging with rehabilitation via Zoom for the past six weeks.

“She has been doing it herself and she is engaging, and she hasn’t been drinking.

“It appears that she started drinking at a young age, but in the past few years it’s significant and a problem.”

Mr Morgan added: “She was agitated when arrested and in pain when the handcuffs were on.

“It’s no excuse, it’s just the catalyst for her behaviour. She is sorry.

“She has shown previously a willingness to engage with the problems she’s got.

“She is remorseful and understands that what she did was wrong.”

After being sentenced, Metcalf told the hearing: “I’m ashamed of myself.”

Metcalf, who pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker, was handed a 24-month community order, with a requirement of 30 days of rehabilitation work.

She must also take part in the Thinking Skills programme and pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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