Woman, 20, locked up after threatening firefighter with broken bottle

A 20-year-old woman has been locked up after threatening a firefighter with a broken bottle before damaging a police cell.

North Yorkshire Police said Jessica Louise Simms threatened the emergency workers who had come to her aid on September 17, and then later damaged a police cell which she was taken to.

Simms, of The Crescent in Selby, appeared at York Magistrates Court on September 24 where she was told only a custodial sentence was justified due to the seriousness of her actions.

She was later charged with two counts of threatening a person with an offensive weapon (the broken bottle), criminal damage and breaching a community protection notice.

The 20-year-old was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders’ institution, as well as being ordered to pay compensation of £79 a surcharge of £187.

Police said on the same day as the incident with the broken bottle, she was also seen at Selby railway station putting her in breach of a community protection order prohibiting her from entering the station

That order was in place after she was convicted for assaulting a police officer, impersonating a police officer and causing the wasteful employment of police.

Although no penalty was imposed for breaching the order, she was re-sentenced for the offence of assaulting a police officer and given three months’ detention which will run at the same time as her 12-month sentence.

PC Emily Blackwell of Selby Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Jessica Simms’ actions have wasted countless hours of police, ambulance and other emergency service time, diverting resources away from genuine incidents and people who are in real need of assistance.

Jessica Louise Simms, of The Crescent, Selby, was sent to a young offenders' institution

“Today's sentence sends a clear message that such behaviour is not a game and will not be tolerated. Emergency services exist to protect the public, safeguard vulnerable people and keep our communities safe.

“Those who deliberately waste these valuable resources can expect to be held accountable for their actions.

“I would like to thank the officers and partner agencies involved for their persistence in bringing this matter before the courts and achieving this outcome for the community."