‘Assaults on the police shouldn’t be tolerated’

magistrates are now being asked to consider the impact of assaults on police within the community when sentencing defendants responsible for them.

In it she said: “Officers are regularly subjected to assaults and threats.

“It’s not acceptable to assume that assaults on police officers and staff should be tolerated and it’s not simply part of their job.

“Assaults on them sometimes are serious and are always unacceptable. In West Yorkshire there are 12 assaults against police officers and staff per week so it’s an issue.”

Magistrates were told that the offences marked McLean’s third conviction for assaulting a police officer.

Her solicitor Sonia Kidd said that she admitted the assaults on a reckless basis as she had meant to harm herself and not anyone else.

She told magistrates that the row happened over a separate incident where her mother was assaulted and she was trying to explain to police what happened but they wouldn’t listen.

Mrs Kidd added that McLean blanks out in stressful situations and can’t always recall what happens around her.

But chairman Brian Castle told her: “This is the third time you’ve assaulted a police officer.

“We’ve heard from the Chief Constable about the impact. Police officers do not deserve to be treated like that no matter what the person’s difficulties are.”

McLean was sentenced to a ninemonth community order with 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

She was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the officer she hurt.