Drunk woman admits assault on police officer (From Craven Herald)

Drunk woman admits assault on police officer

3:05pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News

A drunk woman pulled a police officer’s hair so hard she was still off work two months later, Skipton magistrates heard.

Hayley Brogan, 38, was being driven by two officers to her mother's house in Cononley and was prone on the back seat of the car, before leaning over and grabbing PC Gillian Bell by the hair, the court heard.

Brogan had been found by PC Bell and her colleague, PC Andy Woolley, very drunk and slumped in a public park in Cononley at around 2.45am on September 28, the magistrates were told.

PC Woolley had got out of the car in Meadowcroft to try to raise Brogan's mother. Brogan, who had been lying on the back seat kicking her legs despite being asked to stop, then grabbed hold of PC Bell’s hair.

She pulled the officer down towards her, despite shouts for her to stop, Caroline Midgley, prosecuting, told the court.

PC Bell was released when her colleague, PC Woolley, alerted by the shouting, opened the back door of the car and grabbed Brogan’s legs.

Mrs Midgley said Brogan became violent again once out of the car, and kicked PC Bell in the shin.

PC Bell reported that clumps of her hair came out in her hand when she went to rub her head, and there was more hair on the ground.

A van was called to take Brogan away and, during the wait, she continued to spit and kick at the officers, said Mrs Midgley.

PC Bell had a sore scalp, a painful lump in her knee and increasing neck pain that necessitated a trip to accident and emergency at Airedale Hospital.

Mrs Midgley said two months following the incident, PC Bell was still off work and needing weekly physiotherapy treatment at the police convalescent home.

Brogan, who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, had been drinking heavily after learning she had lost a lengthy custody battle for her child, the court was told.

In mitigation, Jane Nield said Brogan had been drinking with friends in Connonley and had ended up in a public park.

She said she had woken the following day in the police station with no understanding of how she had got there.

Mrs Nield said Brogan was at an all time low after losing her custody battle.

“She is very sorry at what happened to the officer and is very remorseful.”

Brogan, of Moor Lane, Eastburn, was given a six- month community order with low activity requirement.

She was also ordered to pay £150 compensation to the officer, costs of £45 and a victims surcharge of £20.