Gateshead woman hurled homophobic abuse at police officers after Premier Inn call-out

A Gateshead woman hurled homophobic abuse at police officers after an emergency call-out to a hotel.

Gillian Weatherstone began the verbal abuse after officers were called to a Premier Inn hotel on December 20 last year. The 40-year-old was "verbally aggressive" to police before assaulting a police officer as she was being restrained at a police station.

This week, Weatherstone, of Rectory Place, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court facing two public order offences and one offence of assaulting an emergency worker. She pleaded guilty to the charges.

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The court heard that police were called to a Newcastle Premier Inn in the run up to Christmas and found Weatherstone and a man in the midst of an "ongoing dispute". Lucy Todd, prosecuting, said: "[Weatherstone] left but forgot her phone. Police were trying to retrieve it for her when she became loud and verbally aggressive."

Weatherstone then called one officer a n offensive homophobic name before she was arrested and taken to a police station. But while in the station, she continued her abusive behaviour before being "taken to the floor" by other officers. While being restrained, Weatherstone "lashed out" and hit one officer in the nose - which the prosecution said was "reckless battery". Weatherstone then called a female officer a homophobic name.

The court heard that no injury was caused and that Weatherstone had no previous convictions or cautions.

Ian Wilson, defending, told the court Weatherstone entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity and described her as "extremely vulnerable". He said: "Police were called to the hotel due to an incident with a male who is somebody that is before the courts on a regular basis in relation to domestic violence against her.

"She had been in the hotel and left due to issues of domestic violence. She went back to get her phone when the police attended. She was trying to point out she was the victim.

"She was very frustrated and began to use those words." Mr Wilson added that police took Weatherstone to the floor "rather over-zealously" and said "at no stage did she deliberately assault a police officer".

Weatherstone was given a nine month conditional discharge. She was also ordered to pay £111 total court costs.