Woman escapes jail after assaulting two police officers

Donna Weller, 37, of Talbot Road Littlehampton, faced four charges of assault in an incident which took place on September 22 last year, when police officers went to her home to investigate a disturbance.

Mrs Weller pleaded guilty to one charge of assault and not guilty to three others at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Littlehampton police, investigating a noise complaint at the house, received information that the defendant's son, Jamie Weller, who was subject to bail conditions barring him from Talbot Road, was at the property.

Caroline Harris, prosecuting, said when they tried to gain entry to the house to arrest him, Mrs Weller denied that her son was there and her friend blocked the hallway to the officers.

A struggle followed, in which Mrs Weller was accused of striking PC Davy on the head with her mobile phone and assaulting three other officers involved in the incident which ensued, the court was told.

Allissa Scott-Beckett, defending, drew attention to the upset caused to Mrs Weller by allegations that she was sheltering Jamie, who is not allowed to live with her, and who was involved in a life-threatening fire before the incident.

District judge Paul Tain convicted Mrs Weller of assault on PC Davy and PC Phelps, but acquitted her on charges relating to Insp Rigby and PC Wright.

He said: "It turned out to be a storm in a tea cup.

"It is usually my practice to send people who assault police officers to prison. Thankfully, there were no real injuries."

Mrs Weller was fined 100 each for the two convictions for assault and a further 200 legal costs.