Natalie Decarteret, 40, of Craster Square in Gosforth, has admitted threatening to stab a police officer in the neck with an item and spitting in her face. The incident happened on August 8 after police were called to her council house because she had smashed windows and was being aggressive.
Court hears of attack on officer
Newcastle Magistrates' Court was told that Decarteret took exception to the officers being at her address, picked up an item, and threatened to stab one of them in the neck. She then lunged forwards and spat in the constable's face, hitting her on the cheek and the side of her mouth. She was immediately placed in a spit hood, taken to the ground, and arrested.
Decarteret was due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court earlier this week to face one count each of criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker, but she failed to show and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She was detained and appeared in the dock in custody less than 24 hours later, pleading guilty to both matters.
Officer describes ordeal
Prosecutor Georgia Smith said police attended Decarteret's home on August 8 and observed damage to the property with windows smashed, though the value is unknown. The defendant was abusive and threatened to stab an officer in the neck with an item in her hand, then came out of the property and continued to be aggressive, lunging forwards and spitting in the officer's face.
In a statement, the constable said: "I do not come to work to be assaulted, especially to be spat on. Spitting on someone is absolutely disgusting and can cause long-term complications."
Case adjourned for reports
The court heard that Decarteret had one past conviction and had stopped taking her mental health medication at the time. Michael Gibson, defending, said: "She had consumed alcohol on the day in question and doesn't recall why she acted like she did. She was in a deeply distressed state at the time and caused damage to her own windows."
Magistrates decided to adjourn the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and released Decarteret on unconditional bail to next appear at the same court on September 22.
