Woman assaulted officer in hospital

A mum has been ordered to pay a policeman compensation for scratching his arm when she kicked off in a hospital after being deprived of her vodka bottle.

Jobless Sarah Scott, 28, lashed out when Pc Derek Potts tried to restrain her during the bust-up at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Minutes earlier Scott, of Dalegarth Grove, Sunderland, had damaged an air vent door in direct retaliation for a nurse confiscating her booze.

Scott’s defence solicitor claimed she had long nails and had not meant to injure the officer at about 6.30pm on Tuesday, July 21. But she has been told by magistrates she must pay Pc Potts £100 for his injury.

Prosecutor G ur jot K au rt old South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “A nurse was at work when she heard the defendant swear.

“She removed a bottle of vodka from the defendant, because clearly it was not allowed. She started kicking and punching walls.

“The nurse told the defendant to stop it and other staff tried, but she damaged the door. Pc Potts arrived and tried to calm her down, but she became aggressive.

“She scratched his forearm. She was cautioned and taken to South Shields police station.”

Defence solicitor Sophie Cohen told the court Scott had no previous convictions, adding: “Ms Scott has had some problems for some time with mental health and alcohol.”

Scott pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and to assaulting an emergency worker.

Magistrates sentenced her an 18-month community order, with a requirement of 20 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service. She was fined £80 and must pay £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.