Cops use 'Captor' spray on "drunk" woman

A frightened officer used Captor in a desperate struggle with a “drunk” Patricia Jane Howe, aged 40, of The Haven, off Inkpen Road, as she tried to prevent the officer arresting her boyfriend, said the prosecution.
Helen Waite, prosecuting, said: “She shouted ‘You’re not taking my boyfriend’ and made a grab. Pc [Teresa] Miller tried to restrain her and told her to calm down, but the defendant managed to turn around and face the officer, who managed to take her to the floor.
“The defendant had hold of the officer and punched her in the face before grabbing the officer’s stab vest and taking hold of her hair. It was an extremely nasty incident.”
Pc Miller said in a statement: “She took hold of the back of my hair and pulled so hard I thought my neck was going to snap.
“She wouldn’t let go and I managed to kick her in the stomach area to force her to let go.
“I was on the ground and feared my neck was going to be damaged.
“I don’t mind saying, even though I’m a police officer, that this incident was scary.
“I grabbed my Captor spray just as she was about to get up and go for me again. ”
Ms Waite said: “The officer sprayed her in the face and it had the desired effect.”
The court heard that Pc Miller suffered torn fingernails and injuries to her neck, right arm, knee and hands.
Ms Waite added: “In interview, the defendant maintained her right to silence.”
Ms Howe, who has previous convictions, plus a caution for being drunk and disorderly, admitted assaulting a constable in the execution of her duty in Kintbury on August 20 this year.
Nicky Cole, defending, said that her client was extremely remorseful although, owing to being drunk, she could not remember the incident.
She added that Ms Howe, who has grown up children and is living on benefits, suffers from depression.
Magistrates bailed Ms Howe until September 26 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.