‘Disgusting’ spitting attack at police officer

Magistrates heard a statement from the Chief Constable, who also condemned attacks on members of the police force.

She said: “It isn’t right for police officers to be assaulted just because of the job they do.

“They do place themselves in harm’s way on a day to day basis to protect vulnerable people and their communities.”

She added that assaults on police staff result in sickness absences which is a stretch on resources.

Sonia Kidd, mitigating, said that her client had a disagreement with her partner that night and was on her way downstairs to have a cigarette outside when she opened the door and was ‘rushed on’ by police.

She told magistrates: “It came as a shock to her, all these people, and she tried to shut the door.

“She can’t explain why she did what she did but was shocked by what she was confronted with.

“She understands people would rather be struck than spat on because you don’t know what they may be carrying.

“She says she is disgusted by her behaviour and it was highly inappropriate.”

Magistrates ordered Knapton to pay £150 compensation to the officer she assaulted.

Chairman of the bench Graham Commons told her: “We find this to be a really serious offence.

“You might have been shocked but it’s not the normal actions of anyone to spit at someone.”

Knapton was also sentenced to a community order with 40 hours of unpaid work.