(Image: The Northern Echo)
A woman jabbed a finger into a police officer’s eye as they were helping a colleague to detain a man she had been with that evening.
Lucy Peart said she tried to stand between the officers and the man, but could not remember assaulting either officer.
The 42-year-old, of Pearson Street, Spennymoor, appeared before Peterlee magistrates accused of assaulting two police officers in a rear alley off Fenwick Street on July 16.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson said the man involved had already been dealt with by the court, receiving a fine, compensation and costs totalling £675.
Lucy Peart appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court where she admitted assaulting two police officers.
Mr Anderson said Peart became involved as the two officers dealt with the man, who pushed one of them to the ground.
As the officer lay on the ground, Peart dug a finger into her eye, causing immediate pain and temporary impairment.
A second officer was kicked in the leg while dealing with the pair.
The injured officer said the attack affected her physically and emotionally and was one of the most violent incidents of her four-year police career.
She suffered cuts, bruises and abrasions and became emotionally overwhelmed.
The officer said her injuries may have healed, but the fear would remain with her for a long time.
Peart, who made no comment when interviewed, said she could not recall the incident.
She apologised but blamed her actions on a diagnosed neurological disorder triggered by stress, anxiety and even being touched by others.
Georgia Snowdon, in mitigation, said the condition could affect Peart’s memory and that her recollection was “hazy”.
Miss Snowdon said Peart had suffered a seizure before the incident and her male co-accused had gone to help her assistance.
She said Peart recalled the man being arrested and she had tried to come between him and the officers, but did not think she had touched them.
Miss Snowdon asked for a Probation Service report to be prepared on Peart before he is sentenced.
Magistrates’ chairman Dr Victor Dowd agreed, saying it was exactly the sort of case which requires a probation report.
Peart was bailed to return to court at Newton Aycliffe on Thursday, November 5, for sentence after preparation of the probation report.