Sunderland woman assaulted police officer after hospital escort

Agnieszka Hasiak, 36, was put in handcuffs at her home in Byron Terrace, Houghton, to avoid her behaviour causing a breach of the peace.

The sole policeman called for back-up and a male and female colleague arrived to assist on Monday, March 2.

They began escorting her to a police station but on route were instructed by bosses to instead take her to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Once there, Hasiak, who was born in Poland but has lived in the UK for 16 years, became aggressive, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

Prosecutor Jonathan Hanratty said: “The defendant was taken into a side room and was trying to get her arms out of the officer’s grasp.

“She said to her, ‘What if I punched you?’ and clenched her fists. The officer grabbed the handcuffs.

“The defendant was allowed to walk forward but more shouting and disturbance ensued.

“She kicked a corridor door. She began to actively resist. She was placed on a settee to stop her falling over.

“She has then kicked the officer twice, on the abdomen and on the upper leg.

“She is arrested and taken to custody, where her behaviour is described as being aggressive.”

Neil Hodgson, defending, said: “We’ve a defendant with mental health problems.

“She contacts the crisis team who must have been so concerned that they contacted the police.

“The defendant damages her own TV set. She had been drinking. She is handcuffed in her own home.

“The officer who is first there contacts colleagues, and a male and a female officer come along.

“They think about taking her to the station but on route are told to take her to hospital.

“She didn’t know what was going on. She had been handcuffed, put in a police car and diverted to a hospital.

“The officer had no physical injury. I don’t think you will see this defendant in court again, it’s been a shock to the system.”

Hasiak, who pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, was given a 12-month community order, fined £120 and ordered to pay a £90 victim surcharge.

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