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National
Sara Nichol

Lout jailed after assaulting three officers just hours after being in court for similar offences

A violent lout has been locked up after assaulting three police officers just hours after being in court for similar offending.

Patricia Hewitt was jailed earlier this year for attacking a constable and was given a community order on July 21 for assaulting another. However, undeterred and just hours after walking out the court room, the 38-year-old returned to form and lashed out while in a hospital waiting room.

A court heard that, after appearing in the dock, Hewitt was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), in Newcastle city centre, where she suddenly turned aggressive and abusive towards police and medical staff. She then kicked two officers in the legs, leaving one with bruising, prosecutors said.

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Hewitt was arrested and put in a cell a Forth Banks Police Station but went onto strike another officer, who was performing a welfare check on her, to the side of the head.

Now the violent thug, who is of no fixed abode, has appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to three counts of assaulting an emergency worker, a public order offence and a separate criminal damage offence.

Locking her up for 36 weeks, District Judge Zoe Passfield said: "The assaults were committed on the very day you had been to court and had been given a community order for assaulting an emergency worker. You were also on post-sentence supervision for a prison sentence for assaulting an emergency worker. Immediate custody is my only available sentence."

The court heard that Hewitt was taken to the RVI after appearing in court on July 21 this year and was accompanied by police officers. Elizabeth Winchester, prosecuting, continued: "While in the hospital, she became verbally aggressive, shouting at officers and staff and telling them to f*** off.

"All that while in a waiting room full of people. Due to her behaviour, officers attempted to handcuff the defendant. She resisted and kicked out at a female officer, striking her in the leg. Officers have then attempted to transport her to custody. She was again aggressive shouting "ginger-haired c***". She kicked out again and struck another officer in the leg, causing bruising."

The court heard that Hewitt was taken to Forth Banks and put in a cell. However, when a detention officer opened the hatch in the door to check on her, she lashed out with the palm of her hand and hit him on the side of the head.

Mark Styles, defending, said Hewitt, who has 94 offences on her record, was self-medicating past issues with drugs but was apologetic for her behaviour. Mr Styles added: "All the offences were committed while she was not in receipt of her medication. She has no recollection of the incidents at the RVI or at Forth Banks."

Hewitt was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to each police officer she assaulted.

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