A 16-year-old Dundee girl who brutally attacked a police officer inside a court building, repeatedly butting the PC and punching her in the face over and over, was yesterday locked up.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, launched the assault on PC Gwen Louden in the foyer of Dundee Sheriff Court last month.
The girl had been sitting in court room number one listening to a case but was thrown out for comments she made during it.
The teenager, who the court heard has a £180-a-fortnight cannabis habit, was asked to leave by PC Louden and initially complied.
She re-entered the building, however, and was then arrested, prompting the horrific attack.
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan told the court how the 6ft teenager first punched and butted PC Louden, who is several inches smaller, before raining blows down on her head.
He said: “PC Louden attended Ninewells Hospital accident and emergency with swelling and pain to the left forehead and severe swelling to the left cheekbone but it couldn’t be x-rayed due to the swelling.
“She remains off work and still has a black eye.”
The 16-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of assault to injury committed on January 28 on summary complaint.
She also admitted breaching a community payback order previously imposed for another offence.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro deferred sentence until next month for a psychiatric report and remanded the girl in custody.
She said: “She spends £180 a fortnight on cannabis with her partner and then says she doesn’t have the money to pay her bus fare to engage with her current community payback order.
“I’m not prepared to stay my hand in terms of her status and she will be remanded in custody for this report.”