Drunken Hexham lout 'tried to headbutt' police officer before kicking her in the shin

Amy Winskill leaving Newcastle Magistrates' Court
-Credit: (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)


A drunk lout "tried to headbutt" a police officer before kicking them in the shin.

Amy Winksill, who has previous convictions for assaulting emergency workers, had been arrested and was in a cell when she lashed out at the detention officer, who was trying to get her to stand in order to be searched. A court heard that the 33-year-old had to be restrained on the ground but continued to be aggressive before causing a "nasty injury" to her face by headbutting the floor.

Winksill, of Springfield Road, in Hexham, Northumberland, was eventually detained and further arrested for assaulting an emergency worker. She pleaded guilty to the charge when she appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

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Ruth Forster, prosecuting, said Winskill was in a cell at Forth Banks Police Station when a detention officer was tasked with searching her at around 4.50am on August 18 this year. Mrs Forster continued: "The officer noticed that the defendant was heavily intoxicated and she was abusive with her and not complying with the search procedure.

"The officer assisted the defendant to a standing position. The defendant became abusive and she made attempts to headbutt the officer as she was thrashing her head around.

"Other officers attended and the defendant kicked the right leg of the initial officer, which made contact with her shin and caused pain." The court heard that Winskill was restrained on the floor but continued to be aggressive and headbutted the groud.

Magistrates were told that Winksill had five convictions on her record, including two for assaulting an emergency worker from 2022 when she was given a suspended sentence. Matthew Purves, defending, said Winskill had initially been arrested for being "leery" and drunk.

Mr Purves added: "Her anxiety mixed with alcohol has brought about a rather foolish but impulsive reaction to being searched. She doesn't accept all of what the officer says." Winskill was fined £140 and must pay £100 compensation.