A violent drunk who went ‘completely berserk’ and attacked bar staff, police and paramedics when she was awoken from her intoxicated slumber has taken full advantage of the opportunity to turn her life around.

Gail Peacock was told she was facing 16 months in prison when she appeared before a judge in February but was given six-months to start to address her alcohol problem.

The 53-year-old attacked several people when she was asked to leave the Green Dragon in Darlington when she was spotted slumped in her seat covered in vomit.

Teesside Crown Court had heard how bar staff were so concerned about her condition that they called for an ambulance but Peacock’s behaviour continued to become more and more aggressive and increasingly erratic.

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In February, Judge Paul Watson QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, deferred Peacock’s 16-month custodial sentence for six months to give her a chance to get clean.

Passing sentence on Tuesday (August 16) he said: “You were in a public house in Darlington on August 24 last year, for reasons best known to yourself, you went completely berserk.

“Whatever it was that this lady had done to irritate you certainly didn’t justify your response – punching out, kicking her, picking up furniture and lashing out with that.

“Paramedics turned out to treat her and your response was to lash out at them. The police tried to restrain you and calm you down but you still wouldn’t have it – punching one to the head and spitting at another and grabbing a police officer’s hair in utterly deplorable behaviour.”

The Northern Echo: The Green Dragon, Darlington. Picture: GOOGLEThe Green Dragon, Darlington. Picture: GOOGLE

Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said Peacock punched one police officer so hard that she had to seek medical attention for concussion and they were forced to use a spit-hood after she spat at them as they were trying to help her out.

The court heard out one of the paramedics was kicked on the shin and in the groin as Peacock continued to resist efforts to get her some medical treatment.

And the female police officer who was punched to the face said she was sent home from work the following day due to suffering from concussion.

Shaun Dryden, in mitigation, said his client had not taken another alcoholic drink since her last court appearance and had successfully stayed out of trouble over the last six months.

Peacock, of Gilling Crescent, Darlington, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and five charges of assault on an emergency worker following her violent behaviour on August 24 last year.

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