A WOMAN has avoided jail after launching an attack on her parents and a police sergeant on Christmas Eve.

Lucy Rose Poole, 36, punched and injured her mother and father when they returned from a spa day on December 24 last year.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday) heard the defendant was living at her parents’ address in Stanhope at the time of the incident.

John Garside, prosecuting, said Poole had been drinking and was argumentative on their return - first punching her father to the face, cutting his eye.

The defendant followed her father as he went outside to call the police where he, fearing he would be assaulted, punched out towards her.

The court heard Poole kicked his hand before turning to her mother, punching her in the shoulder and knocking her onto the couch.

Outside the defendant, of Waterloo Close, Crook, then pulled her mother’s hair and forced her to the ground. Her mother fractured her fingers as she put her hand out to break her fall.

Poole, who has previous convictions for battery and common assault, was searched by a sergeant before punching her in the shoulder and kicking her in the chest.

During a trial held her in her absence, the defendant was found guilty of two counts of causing actual bodily harm, one count of assaulting a constable and one charge of criminal damage.

Mr Garside added: “It’s clear from the paperwork she has some issues and under the influence of alcohol is argumentative and aggressive.”

Poole was sentenced to 26 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months.

District Judge Martin Walker said: “You have a complex mental health situation and personality but that doesn’t justify the assaults you carried out.

“I think on balance, largely because of the mental health issues you suffer from, a period of custody is not appropriate.”

Poole was made subject to a supervision order for 18 months with the National Probation Service with a requirement to carry out 30 rehabilitation activity days.

She was ordered to pay £250 compensation to the sergeant and was given a restraining order banning her from entering her parents’ property for one year.