A woman who lashed out at police after they were called following concerns about her welfare after a car crash has been ordered to pay compensation to the officers.

Amanda Crawford punched one officer in the face, kick another before grabbing the face of a third after she was found hiding in woodland near her badly damaged car.

The 36-year-old’s car had two flat tyres when police arrived at the scene on the A67 near Middleton St George just before midnight last Friday night.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how the mother-of-two reacted angrily when she was approached by officers and assaulted three of them.

Daniel Hill, prosecuting, said: “She started to scream and shouted and refused to co-operate with the police at the scene.

“She was placed in the rear of a police car then she has punched the officer to the head and face. She has been removed from the vehicle and restrained on the floor.

“The defendant has then been walked towards another police vehicle and she has deliberately kicked the officer on the leg.”

Mr Hill said Crawford was taken to Darlington police station where she demanded to phone her mother before grabbing another officer by the face and clawing at her cheeks.

The court heard how the defendant then refused to take a test to establish the alcohol level in her system as she admitted she had been drinking.

Crawford, of Lancaster Close, Darlington, pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting a police officer and a further charge of failing to co-operate with a preliminary test at the station following her arrest on February 3.

Amrit Jandoo, mitigating, told the court that Crawford was the mother of two disabled children and was struggling to cope whilst also being the victim of domestic violence.

He said: “Clearly, alcohol had been taken, she fully accepts that she was the driver of the vehicle.

“She has not been charged with other matters that could have led to a disqualification.”

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Anne Kellitt, the chair of the bench, said: “I’m sure you are aware that assaults on a police officer as a very serious offence, similarly, failing to provide a specimen.

“You are very lucky that the police charge you with an offence where you could have lost your licence.

“I can see you are very remorseful and found the court proceedings traumatic.”

Crawford was fined £80 and given four points on her licence for failing to provide a specimen as well as being ordered her to pay £385 compensation to be shared between the three police officers.