Judge: 'BBQs are the curse of the UK'

A YOUNG mother who punched and kicked a police officer after getting drunk at a family BBQ has appeared in court.

District Judge David Cooper said: “Family barbeques they are a curse on the nation really.”

He told South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court that Bonnie Shiress was the sixth person he had seen in court that morning who had only offended because they were drunk.

The court heard that police were called to the barbeque because of a disturbance between the 25-year-old's father and her former boyfriend Damien Scott.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said PC Walker held onto Shiress' arm to calm her down and she punched him on the arm and kicked his leg.

Mother of two Shiress of St Elizabeth Way, Felixstowe pleaded guilty to common assault on June 1.

Unemployed Shiress said she had drunk up to three bottles of wine. She said: “My dad started the trouble. We were at his house. My mum called the police.”

Shiress who spent 12 hours in custody was fined £100 told to pay £100 compensation to the officer, £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Her benefits were to be deducted by £5 per week.