A Woolton woman slapped a policeman in the face before saying: “I’m sorry, it was worth it though.”
Paula Higham, 31, was arrested for criminal damage after ripping up a wedding book belonging to her partner’s daughter on September 26, Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard.
Higham, of Heath Close, was due to be sentenced today after earlier pleading guilty to criminal damage, assaulting a police officer and sending a menacing communication, but the case was adjourned due to a lack of information on the defendant’s living arrangements.
Lionel Cope, prosecuting, said victim Naomi Gilham and the defendant had previously fallen out after Ms Gilham claimed to have found drugs belonging to Higham at her father’s house.
He told the court: “On September 26 the complainant received numerous calls from her father’s mobile phone. She answered and Miss Higham immediately made threats to chop her up and burn her house down.”
Ms Gilham and Higham were involved in an argument later that evening at the complainant’s father’s address which ended with Higham destroying the wedding book and throwing the torn pages out of a bedroom window.
Mr Cope said: “She was arrested and at the custody suite PC Ian Kenny cautioned her for criminal damage. The defendant then got to her feet and slapped PC Kenny, connecting with his left shoulder and the left side of his face.
“She then said I’m sorry, it was worth it though.”
A victim impact statement from Ms Gilham said her relationship with her father had broken down as a result of the incident, and she felt afraid to open her doors or windows due to the threats.
She also said she had been the carer for her father, who uses a wheelchair after being severely injured in a work-place accident.
Higham sobbed in the dock as the details of the offence were read to the court.
The court heard Higham was jailed for 16 weeks last year for assault.
District Judge Wendy Lloyd adjourned sentencing until December 21.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/