16-07-2025
Mother, 28, who punched policewoman then bragged 'she deserved it' is fined just £160 - after arguing 'I only hit her once'
A mother who bragged that a policewoman 'deserved' being punched in the face after beating her up in the street has escaped with a £160 fine after a judge blamed drink for her behaviour.
Lucy Cleary 28, who lives off state handouts, was said to have rained multiple blows upon PC Robyn Lowe's head in a drunken rage.
The incident came as she was being detained for throwing glasses and chairs around a Wetherspoons pub.
Cleary was eventually overpowered by PC Lowe using incapacitant spray.
But when other officers arrived, she said: 'Mate, she deserved the punch in the face.'
Later at the police station she added: 'I hope that bizzy got a good punch because she deserved it.'
The officer sustained a lump to her left eyebrow.
Cleary, from Moulton, Cheshire, faced up to 16 weeks jail under sentencing guidelines after she admitted common assault, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.
But she walked free from Chester magistrates court with a 12 month community order after District Judge Ian Barnes accepted her plea that she only struck the officer once.
He told her: '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.
'You were also making comments in the police station suggesting perhaps there was little remorse.
'But I expect that was in drink and I suspect on reflection you have different views.'
The incident occurred on April 15 at 11.15pm after Cleary was thrown out of the Penny Black pub in Northwich following an altercation with another customer.
But she returned shortly afterwards to continue the argument, pushing the bar manager when he intervened, prosecutor Annika Livermore said.
'She started to throw drink glasses about the venue narrowly missing other customers,' she added.
'Chairs were also thrown by the defendant Miss Cleary.'
Police were called but Cleary ran at PC Lowe, who was responding to the incident.
'She pushed her away and at one point had her hand on the officer's chest, throat and face,' Ms Livermore said.
'Miss Cleary tried to run away again but PC Lowe pursued on foot and and caught up with the defendant who continued behaving in an aggressive manner.
'She pushed the officer and punched the officer several times to the head.
'The officer sustained a lump to the eyebrow.'
When back-up officers arrived, the court heard Cleary told one: 'Mate, she deserved the punch in the face.'
After being taken to a police station Cleary added: 'I hope that bizzy got a good punch because she deserved it.'
Cleary, who has no previous convictions, gave no comment in police interview.
Her lawyer Hannah Kelly said: 'It was one push and one punch and she accepts the injury.'
The court heard Cleary is a single mother with three children living on benefits.
Under the terms of her sentence, Cleary must perform up to 10 rehabilitation activity days.
She was also ordered to pay £300 in compensation to PC Lowe and £50 to the pub for the damage she caused.
The judge banned her from going to the Penny Black pub for 12 months.
Another woman is facing trial later this year over the fracas.
Since 2022, assaulting an emergency worker can carry a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment.
However under sentencing guidelines, courts have to consider shorter sentences, fines or community orders for offences with a lower level of harm or culpability.
