Report needed after assaulting an officer

A 20-year-old woman is today awaiting her fate after she admitted flicking a cigarette at a policeman’s head.

A pre-sentence report is being prepared for Naomi Denton, who pleaded guilty to assaulting an officer following an incident outside the town’s magistrates’ court last month.

South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court heard how Denton, of Old Foundry Road, Ipswich, was with two other women outside the court on September 13 when a bottle was thrown on the floor.

A policeman approached the group and asked them to pick the bottle up.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said Denton, who had drunk two bottles of wine, told the officer to pick it up himself. She then picked it up and threw it in the air, resulting in it smashing on the ground.

The argument continued, and despite the officer requesting Denton to put down her cigarette, she flicked it towards his face.

Ms Small said: “The cigarette struck the side of his head and caused a small burn to his skin.”

Mitigating, Sue Threadkell, said: “She has lived away from home since she was 16 and has not found her way.

“She has started business courses but she has always failed to join up the dots.

“She has a problem with anger and wishes she did not react in the way that she does.

“Happily she has got the possibility of work coming up.”

Magistrates adjourned the case until October 9 for a report to be prepared. She was released on unconditional bail until then.