**Mother Admits Assault on Police Officer After Violent Scene in Local Wetherspoons**
A mother of three has narrowly avoided prison after a drunken outburst in a popular pub resulted in a violent altercation with police, culminating in the assault of a female officer. The disturbance unfolded at the Penny Black Wetherspoons pub in Northwich, Cheshire, where 28-year-old Lucy Cleary launched glasses and chairs, and later physically attacked officers attempting to subdue her.
The incident, which took place late on the evening of 15 April this year, began when Cleary was ejected from the premises following an argument with another patron. According to courtroom testimonies, Cleary’s removal from the venue did little to calm the situation. Prosecutors contended that she soon returned, escalating hostilities by pushing the bar manager and then hurling glasses across the crowded establishment, narrowly missing other customers. Chairs were also thrown in her rampage, prompting staff to intervene further and call for police assistance.
When Police Constable Robyn Lowe responded to the emergency, she found Cleary running towards her outside the pub. Upon attempting to detain the agitated mother, the situation quickly deteriorated. Prosecutors described how Cleary immediately resisted arrest, shoving the officer and at one point placing her hands on the PC’s chest, throat, and face. Refusing to de-escalate, Cleary made another attempt to flee but was swiftly apprehended by PC Lowe. It was at this moment, the court heard, that Cleary struck the officer multiple times in the head.
The officer was forced to deploy incapacitant PAVA spray in self-defence. The altercation left PC Lowe with a notable lump above her eyebrow. Further support arrived on the scene and Cleary, still aggressive, allegedly remarked: “Mate, she deserved the punch in the face,” before being taken into custody. She continued her unrepentant comments at the police station, saying: “I hope that bizzy got a good punch because she deserved it,” court records revealed.
Cleary, who has no prior criminal record, offered no comment during her police interview. During legal proceedings at Chester Magistrates’ Court, her defence lawyer, Hannah Kelly, asserted that Cleary accepted full responsibility, admitting to one push and one punch, and did not attempt to shift blame onto her alcohol consumption. The defence also highlighted Cleary’s circumstances as a single parent on benefits, requesting that any financial penalties be adjusted accordingly.
District Judge Ian Barnes handed down a 12-month community order, including ten days of rehabilitation activity, as punishment for Cleary’s actions, alongside a £160 fine. Compensation payments were also ordered: £300 to PC Lowe for the physical and psychological harm caused, and £50 to the pub for damage and distress to staff and patrons. Judge Barnes spoke plainly in sentencing, telling Cleary: “That punch was used against an emergency worker, a police officer just doing their job, and I have seen the injury. They have a nasty lump to their head afterwards.”
The judge further addressed Cleary’s lack of apparent remorse, referencing her comments in custody, but suggested these were influenced by alcohol and that, in sober reflection, she might view things differently. He acknowledged her previously clean character and guilty plea, concluding that a custodial sentence was not warranted.
As part of the judgement, Cleary is now banned from entering the Penny Black pub for the next 12 months under a licensed premises exclusion order. The case highlights ongoing concerns around alcohol-related violence in public venues and the challenges emergency workers face when responding to volatile situations.
This incident serves as a potent reminder of the risks faced by police officers in their line of duty, and the importance of supporting frontline staff while holding those who assault them to account. The community will be watching closely as Cleary undertakes her rehabilitation and seeks to rebuild trust, both with her local area and the authorities.