A WOMAN has avoided prison after kicking and spitting at a police officer.

Diane Hodgson, of Broomhill Road, Prudhoe, was handed a 14 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after pleading guilty at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on Monday to assaulting an emergency worker.

However, District Judge Philip Holden said that Hodgson had left court ‘by the skin of her teeth’ as she was lucky not to have an immediate custodial sentence imposed.

The court heard that the incident happened after a police officer was called to reports of a family dispute in Prudhoe on May 28.

James Long, prosecuting, said Hodgson (52), who was wearing light sandals at the time of the incident, kicked the officer on the thigh causing him to feel pain.

“She tried to kick him a second time but he blocked the kick,” he said.

“The officer said that the defendant deliberately came towards him and she spat on his face.

“The defendant kicked out at the officer again at the custody suite in the police station.”

The court heard how Hodgson had consumed one and a half bottles of vodka at the time of the incident.

Tim Gregory, defending, said: “She was acting in a hysterical and emotional way. She caused the officer pain, but no injury.

“She blew a raspberry and some spittle landed on the officers lip.”

Mr Gregory said Hodgson suffered from alcohol problems and that they “affect every aspect of her life”.

He added: “She is acting in almost instinctive way where, she has not got control over her faculties.

“The drink has got a hold of her and she is not in control of her behaviour. She does not know what she is doing.

“She was out of control. There is no rhyme or reason for her to do that.”

Hodgson, who has worked as an industrial cleaner, has previously sought professional support and said she wished to overcome her alcohol problems, said Mr Gregory.

He continued: “I have no doubt that she will be deeply ashamed by her behaviour.”

Sentencing, District Judge Philip Holden said: “I find it difficult to think that spittle towards someone could be anything but deliberate.

“Even in moral terms, it causes the person who is spat at to wonder if they have been infected by something. “To do that in a very difficult environment when the coronavirus pandemic was at its height will have added to the pain of the officer as to what had happened to him.

“You leave court by the skin of your teeth.”

Hodgson was also issued with a 12-week curfew and ordered to pay £285.