The solicitor representing a Penygroes woman who headbutted a police constable has slammed the injured officer for attempting to remove the 39-year-old from her home without due cause.

Llanelli magistrates were told how officers attended Samantha Jayne Browne’s home at 37 Spien Road following reports of an abusive woman in the garden of the property on April 16 and informed her that she was to be removed from the house to stop her committing any further offences.

During the attempt to take her from the property, Browne, who attended the hearing via video-link from Eastwood Park women’s prison, assaulted PC Ian Parfitt by headbutting him.

Defence solicitor David Williams told magistrates that the actions of the officers were outside the scope of their powers.

“What possible authority does a police officer have to remove someone from a private property for fear that anti-social behaviour might – in private - continue later,” a furious Mr Williams asked the court.

“This has no foundation in law.”

The court heard how PC Parfitt and another officer attended Browne’s home at 7.30pm following reports that she was being abusive towards a group of youths nearby.

Lesley Harborn, prosecuting, told magistrates that Browne was inside the property when officers arrived.

“She was clearly intoxicated and abusive towards the officers,” said Ms Harborn.

“The police were not happy for her to remain at the property due to her anti-social behaviour.”

When told that the officers intended to remove her, Browne refused to leave and became increasingly abusive towards them before eventually assaulting PC Parfitt.

“She dropped her head and headbutted him in the jaw,” Ms Harborn said.

Browne then sat in an armchair.

“She continued to be aggressive and was kicking out when the officers approached her.”

She was eventually handcuffed and taken to Llanelli police station.

“She was intoxicated and she acknowledges that her head came into contact with him, but more by way of a glance than a deliberate headbutt,” said Mr Williams.

“That is substantiated by the lack of injury to the officer.”

Mr Williams described Browne as “a very intelligent lady”, but said she acknowledged she had “a problem with alcohol,” which she was taking steps to address.

“She had a relapse which is why these offences occurred,” Mr Williams told the court.

“She has also been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder for which she has been prescribed medication, but since she was remanded into custody on May 23 for failing to attended court she has not received it.

“She is in a very difficult set of circumstances.

“However I am at a loss as to what this officer thought his powers were.”

Browne admitted assaulting a constable and breach of a community order imposed in July 2014 when she failed to attend a supervision meeting on April 9 in relation to a previous alcohol-related offence.

She also admitted breaching her bail when she failed to attend court on May 14 to answer the assault charge.

Magistrates sentenced Browne to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, for assaulting PC Parfitt. She was also ordered to attend 30 days of a rehabilitation activity order.

She was sentenced to four weeks’ jail, suspended for 12 months, for failing to adhere to bail conditions.

Magistrates fined her £50 for breaching the community order imposed in July 2014 but ruled that it should continue in its present form.

“If you do not comply with that order and attend the meetings you will be in breach again and will be back before the court,” they warned her.

“Do not throw away this chance.”

Browne was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and a £150 court charge.