Chloe Height, 29, has avoided jail after a judge said care workers accept the risk of assault, but added that it does not excuse the consequences. She was handed a 12-month community order and a mental health treatment order at Manchester Crown Court for a series of racist and violent attacks on support staff.
Racial abuse in taxi
On July 18 last year, Height was being driven home to her supported accommodation with two care workers. In the taxi, she told the driver: 'I don't understand why f***ing Black people keep supporting me.' Both victims, a man and a woman, said they were offended. She then called her aunt and repeated the comment.
After arriving home, Height showered and said she wanted to sleep. But ten minutes later, she came downstairs and confronted them, shouting: 'You f***ing Black people, what are you doing here?' She then repeatedly punched the male care worker. When the female worker intervened, Height hit him with a wooden spoon, then a part of the cooker, and poured non-boiled water from the kettle over the female worker. The abuse continued until police arrived and arrested her.
Attack with boiling water
A month later, on August 24, 2024, Height was a voluntary patient on the mental health ward at Wythenshawe Hospital. A staff member conducting checks at around 7.30pm was approached by Height, who asked for her toiletries. He told her she had lost privileges after being restrained earlier that day. Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said: 'The victim then said before he knew it, the defendant threw a cup of boiling water at his head. He said it caused him to scream and rush to the bathroom to pour cold water over his head and face.'
In a victim statement, the man said he felt 'upset and angry', adding: 'I do not come to work to be assaulted by anyone, I only want to help people.' He was off work for six months and required sleeping tablets during recovery.
Threat with plastic knife
Days later, Height became aggressive and had to be held down by colleagues. While struggling, she told a nurse: 'I will stab you, this will not end.' She then produced a plastic knife and thrust it toward the nurse before being restrained again.
Mitigation and sentence
Shannon English, mitigating, said Height had a 'complex mental health background' and first came to child mental health services at age six. She had previous convictions with custodial sentences and suspended jail terms but 'no intervention'. English urged the judge to impose a mental health treatment order, noting Height was 'incredibly anxious about being at court today'.
Judge Paul Mason said: 'I have to balance protecting these people and issuing deterrent sentences. Especially when those with mental health difficulties are seen to be assaulting people who are there to help them in such a serious way. I understand you have made progress. It is a risk they all take but it doesn't excuse any of the consequences.'
Height, of Drury Street, Levenshulme, must also pay £250 court costs.
