Teenage girl locked up after headbutting police officer in court

A TEENAGER, who headbutted and repeatedly punched a police officer in a court building, has been locked up.

The 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to 12 months detention at Dundee Sheriff Court.

She carried out the assault on PC Gwen Louden at the reception area of the court building.

It took place after the teen from Dundee was ejected from the court’s public gallery during the custody court on January 28.

Fiscal depute Stewart Duncan said: “PC Louden informed the accused she was being arrested.

“PC Louden removed her handcuffs and placed them on the accused’s left arm and PC Tom Anderson took hold of the accused’s right side.

“The accused punched PC Louden on the face with her fist, then headbutted PC Louden on the left side of her face.

“Both officers struggled with the accused and she again repeatedly punched PC Louden on the head several times.”

All three fell to the ground, where the accused was restrained.

PC Louden went to the accident and emergency unit at Ninewells hospital with reddening and swelling on the left side of her head and her face was too severely swollen to be X-rayed.

The court heard one month later PC Louden still had a black eye.

Solicitor Doug McConnell, defending, said: “She makes no attempt to minimise what she has done. She apologises for her actions.”

The teenager admitted one charge against her of assaulting PC Louden by headbutting her on the face and repeatedly punching her on the head and face.

The court heard the youth had also been subject to a community payback order, which she failed to comply with.

Sheriff Tom Hughes said: “This is an appalling offence to a police officer while she was on duty. Police officers have a very difficult job and are on the front line of protecting us. They should be able to go to work and carry out their duty without injury.

“Both officers are to be commended for how they dealt with this.

“A custodial sentence is inevitable.”