Sunderland mum pleads guilty to kicking a policeman who had come to her aid
A Sunderland mum in charge of two children kicked a policeman in the chest and attempted to bite his thumb in an attack at her home, a court heard.
Ashley Richardson, 34, lashed out after officers entered her property in Harold Square, Hendon, through an open window on Friday, February 27.
They did so after receiving a report she may be at threat of violence from a man believed to be present, prosecutor Jade Houston said.
Despite no suspect being found, Richardson became aggressive and warned, “Watch what I’ll do to you”.
At one point, she placed one of the youngsters in front of her on the sofa to prevent her arrest for a breach of the peace.
Ms Houston told magistrates in South Tyneside: “Officers attended, due to a third-party report of arguing in the property.
“The defendant came to the front window and two children were present.
“She was abusive and appeared to be drunk. She wouldn’t open the door, so the officers came in through the front window.
“They tried to deal with her, but she put her son on the sofa to prevent the officers conducting the arrest.
“She attempted to bite an officer’s hand, and he received a cut to his thumb.
“An extra police van arrived, and she said, ‘Watch what I’ll do to you’. She then fell to the floor and kicked the officer’s chest.”
Richardson pleaded guilty to a charge of assault of a constable in the execution of their duty.
The court heard she has nine previous convictions from 10 offences, with some motoring matters but no violence or her record.
Ian Cassidy, defending, conceded Richardson had an issue with alcohol for which she was seeking support.
Mr Cassidy said: “It’s fair to say that Ms Richardson is mortified by what happened on this night.
“She was on the phone to someone and that’s what was quite loud. Police believed a male was present.
“There was only Ms Richardson and the children present. She accepts she had taken some alcohol.
“She said there was no key in the door and tried to explain that, but the police came in through an open window.
“The police tried to arrest her for a breach of the peace, and she doesn’t dispute that there was some physical altercation.
“She says that she wasn’t attempting to assault the officer and that any contact was reckless on her part.
“Alcohol is a little bit of a concern. She is doing all that she can to reduce her alcohol and prevent this situation happening again.
“There was quite a gap in offences, from 2012 to 2020, when there was an excess alcohol.
“She is a person who keeps herself largely out of trouble and does what she can as a single parent.”
Magistrates adjourned the case for reports and granted Richardson unconditional bail to be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, April 23.