Hartlepool woman assaulted two police officers and spat in one's eye in back of van on A19

Chloe Gaskell carried out the assaults while the officers were checking on her in the back of a police van on the A19.

Jo Hesse, prosecuting at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, said the 20-year-old of Stephen Street, was arrested on January 1 this year for an unrelated offence.

She said the officers were concerned for the welfare of Gaskell and pulled over the van to go and check on her.

The prosecutor said at this point the defendant launched an assault on the officers and was lashing out at them.

Reading from one of the officer’s statements, Ms Hesse said: “As a result of this incident I felt traumatised by the level of violence.

“Our intention was to check on her welfare.”

In their statement the second officer said they had been traumatised and being spat in the eye left them feeling sick. They had bruising to their hands and head.

The statement read: “The fact we were on the A19 with vehicles travelling towards us at 70mph left me feeling we could get run over.”

A spokesman for the probation service said Gaskell has been involved with alcohol and drug treatment.

But, he said Gaskell is not a dependent drinker.

Gaskell was given a 12-month community order with 25 rehabilitation days and a curfew of 12 weeks. She was orderd to pay £200 compensation to each of the officers and £40 costs.