A sleepy suspected noisy neighbour hit a policewoman on her stomach while resisting being handcuffed in her home.
Lynn McLusky, 51, lashed out after being woken by officers investigating alleged excessive din coming from her property in Osborne Avenue, near Westoe, South Shields.
She had drunk booze before bedtime and became agitated when she discovered six PCs swarming around, a court heard.
Her hand lightly struck a PC when she fought against having the cuffs applied on Tuesday, February 16.
Magistrates in South Tyneside were told McLusky may have been the victim of a malicious calls campaign which had repeatedly brought police to her door.
Prosecutor Marc Atkins said: “She lunged towards officers and an officer took hold of her and restrained her on the sofa.
“Police tried to put handcuffs on, but she broke free with one hand, even though her face was on the sofa.
“Her hand landed on the officer’s stomach. She was eventually put in handcuffs and was taken to the police station.
“She was interviewed and made full admissions about her behaviour.”
Val Bell, defending, said McLusky had temporarily vacated the property but had returned shortly before Christmas.
She added: “Since returning to the address, there have been numerous malicious complaints.
“It seems to be people who are saying there is noise at her address.
“The police have turned up on regular occasions to find that there is no noise.
“She had had some alcohol and had gone to bed just after 9pm.
“She was woken and found there were police in her home. There were six police officers there.
“I have seen the footage and she was very agitated and upset. There is no noise.
“She does accept that she does resist. There was minimal contact with the officer, her face was on the settee.
“The officer says that there was no injury. She accepts that her behaviour wasn’t as it should have been that night.”
McLusky pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker and was handed a six-month conditional discharge.
She must pay £85 court costs and a £22 victim surcharge.
