A 20-year-old woman has been sentenced to nine months in prison for her part in an assault on three police officers outside a Mudgee hotel in July.
Amy Lee Butchers, formerly of Mudgee and now of Shepparton Victoria, pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting a police officer and to one count of offensive language as a result of the incident, which happened about 2.50am on July 11.
The court heard how police had been called to the hotel to come to Miss Butchers’ assistance.
When police arrived they found her boyfriend Tristan Leonard Ramadge (also formerly of Mudgee and now living in Victoria) had blood coming from his lip.
While police were talking to Ramadge, Butchers stepped in between the police and Ramadge and began yelling abuse at police and refused to step aside when asked.
While Ramadge was being placed in custody, Miss Butchers grabbed a female police officer and pulled her backwards causing her to fall on the roadway and in the incident was
knocked unconscious.
A second officer was also assaulted by Butchers before she punched a third officer at the scene in the head and pushed him and spat in his face.
Two female police officers were taken to Hospital.
Butchers solicitor Richard Wise told magistrate Jan Stevenson he hoped the matter would be dealt with on Wednesday when the magistrate suggested a pre-sentence report be prepared.
"This was a disgraceful piece of activity," Ms Stevenson said.
"I can finalise the matter today (Wednesday) by sending her to jail, because she deserves it."
After submissions from Mr Wise, Ms Stevenson remanded Butchers in custody until 2pm.
In sentencing Butchers to three concurrent nine months imprisonment with a three-month non-parole period Ms Stevenson described Butchers' behaviour as "shocking and unacceptable."
Ms Stevenson said she had taken into account her previous good record and her guilty plea in handing down this sentence.
"It calls out for public condemnation in particular for her assault on the police officers," Ms Stevenson said.
"This morning I revoked her bail and I intend to leave her in custody now.
"These are matters that call for a custodial sentence.
"When police put on their blue uniform to go about their lawful duty they know they can be faced by situations like this but hope they don't have to and on this occasion they were coming to miss Butchers' aid at the request of a member of the public.
"For their trouble there was a serious assault upon police.
"On the other hand if they mistreat the public, police face condemnation."
Ramadge also faced court over the same incident and was fined $500 plus costs and placed on 12-month good behaviour bond.
He was charged with one count of assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty and was placed on a good behaviour bond and fined $500 plus costs on a charge of common assault for assaulting a member of the public who came to the aid
of police.