Drunk woman from Dover put in a spit hood after she became aggressive with police in Walmer, Deal
Published: 05:00, 26 March 2024
Updated: 12:07, 26 March 2024
A drunk woman had to be put in a spit hood after she became aggressive with police.
Sammy-Jo Wiggins had been heard shouting and swearing outside a block of flats in Walmer, Deal, late in the night.
When police arrived in Mongeham Way at about 11pm on July 11 last year, they could see she was still holding a can of beer and could barely stand.
The 30-year-old then started to abuse one officer and called him a “spastic ****” and a pig.
A court heard she also later racially abused the officer as she was being detained in custody.
Wiggins, of Heathfield Avenue, Dover, was charged with threatening behaviour and racially aggravated harassment.
She admitted the charges when she appeared in court in November last year, when it was heard her aggressive behaviour was so bad she had to be put in a spit hood as she was being detained.
Wiggins returned to Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on February 29 to be sentenced.
Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, told the bench that a member of the public had called the police after hearing Wiggins swearing and shouting outside some flats.
“She had a can of beer,” she said.
“Officers arrived and identified her, and as they approached her, her speech was slurred and she was not able to stand still. She became abusive and aggressive.
“She then called the officer a spastic **** and got right in the officer’s face and said she would punch his lights out.
“He pushed her away from him and shouted to him not to push her and then called him a f****** **** and then called him a maggot **** and pig.”
The court also heard that as Wiggins was being arrested she then started to racially abuse one officer as she was being put in the van.
Ms Farbrace added: “She said to him my name is Afghani and I am an Afghan.”
Magistrates were also told the officer had written a victim impact statement in which he said he did not feel he should be abused just for the way he looks.
The court heard Wiggins had previous convictions but the last was in May 2018.
Gemma Adams, defending, added: “She apologises to the court and is ashamed of her behaviour that day.
“She had consumed alcohol and that is the thread of her convictions. She’s dealing with it and she would drink alcohol in response to something [usually].
“She has depression, anxiety and ADHD. A trauma led to her alcohol misuse, but she is now engaging with a trust.
“She is also looking for work and wants a fresh start. She has lots of issues to address and she recognises she needs additional help.”
Magistrates told Wiggins her crimes were a dreadful series of events, but said they were pleased she was getting her life back on track.
As a result, they placed her on a 12-month community order which will see her wear an alcohol abstinence tag for 120 days and attend 30 rehabilitation sessions with probation.
She was also fined £350 for the racially aggravated harassment offence and was ordered to pay the police officer £100 compensation.
She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 court costs.
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KentOnline Court Reporter