A dog groomer who won awards at Crufts has avoided jail after blaming the menopause for attacking three police officers during a domestic dispute. Jacqui Byrne, 52, elbowed one officer and kicked another, saying 'I hope it f***ing hurt knobhead' as they restrained her at her home in Pickmere, Cheshire, in the early hours of January 3.
Warrington Magistrates Court heard that Byrne, a mother of two who has won prizes at dog shows including an award for best puppy at the Royal Kennel Club show, admitted three charges of assaulting an emergency worker. The court was told that officers attended her address to arrest her for an unrelated domestic incident, but she became irate and kicked Police Sergeant Sinclair before later lunging at and elbowing PC Griffiths, and kicking PC Lythgoe.
Byrne's solicitor, Catherine Higham, said her client had been experiencing 'emotional difficulties' due to the menopause and had also been grieving the death of her brother. She added that Byrne had made a reasonable request to put on a bra or jumper to protect her modesty, which was refused by police, providing context for her behaviour.
District Judge Steven Bradley fined Byrne £200 and ordered her to pay £165 in costs and a surcharge, noting that she was seeking both NHS and private medical support for mental health issues. No compensation was awarded to the officers as they had not sustained injuries.
