Newcastle woman who owes £16,000 to courts fined for spitting in face of police officer

A Newcastle woman who already owes £16,000 to the courts has been fined once again - this time for spitting in the face of a police officer.

Toni Dickinson was arrested on New Year's Eve last year and taken into custody. But when officers asked her to remove clothing which was a potential health risk, the 31-year-old became aggressive.

A number of staff members then attempted to calm Dickinson down as she became increasingly "animated". It was then that Dickinson spat directly into the face of an officer.

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This week, Dickinson, of Relton Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court facing a charge of assaulting an emergency worker. She pleaded guilty to the offence, which was committed on December 31, last year.

Jonathan Stirland, prosecuting, said: "The defendant found herself in custody in relation to other matters. She was put in a cell and there was a requirement to essentially remove some clothing that was a ligature risk.

"Staff were trying to remove her personal trousers to put custody trousers on. This caused her to become upset and animated. A number of people attempted to deal with her."

One of those attempting to help was a female police officer, who attempted to shut the cell door. Mr Stirland continued: "The defendant was seen to approach the officer and spit directly into the officer's face. It landed in her right eye. She then closed the cell door and wiped her face."

In a victim statement read out to the court, the officer said the incident was "completely disgusting behaviour". The court heard Dickinson had 28 previous convictions for 36 offence, but had not been before the courts since 2021.

Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said Dickinson's trousers were being removed as they had a draw-string. She said: "She was trouser-less in the cell and on CCTV the defendant can be seen gesturing towards the officer and stepping away from the cell.

"She spat in [the officer's] direction, but not directly at her. When the offence occurred, she accepts she had relapsed into drug misuse. She is genuinely upset and mortified and incredibly disappointed in herself, she is aware she must be held accountable."

The court heard that Dickinson already owes £16,000 in outstanding court fees, which is currently being taken out of her benefits. Dickinson was fined £200 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the officer.