An inmate at a women’s prison has denied spitting at an officer in an incident at her cell at the County Durham establishment.

Natasha Precardo pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting an emergency worker in a short video link appearance at Durham Crown Court.

The 37-year-old defendant denies spitting at all during the incident attended by a male and female officer at Low Newton Women’s Prison, at Brasside, Durham, on August 11, 2021.

Ben Baker, for the defendant, who is now detained in HMP Bronzefield, in Ashfield, Surrey, said: “It’s a factual denial as she claims there was no spitting and that would be corroborated by the body-worn camera footage of the officers.”

Read more: Low Newton Prison success

Ian West, for the prosecution, said the Crown would be seeking only the two officers present during the incident to give evidence at trial.

The case was adjourned for a trial, expected to last only two days, starting at the court on January 18, next year.

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