Assault and abuse of police officer leads to community service

Friday 25 June 2021

A 41-year-old woman has been given a lengthy community service order after assaulting a police officer and two instances of disorderly conduct.

Ana Cristina Teixeira Da Silva had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault of a police officer on 12 July 2020, when she dug her nails into an officer’s arm during her arrest at the North Plantation.

Da Silva had been arrested for being drunk and abusive, calling an officer a "moustachioed c**t". She also labelled him a racist.

She was found guilty after trial and appeared in the Magistrate’s Court for sentencing yesterday. 

Pictured: Da Silva's community service order was a direct alternative to six months in prison.

Whilst out on bail for the initial offence, Da Silva was arrested again for another instance of drunk and disorderly behaviour outside Folies on 17 January 2021.

Police officers on patrol in town were directed to Da Silva by members of the public multiple times, culminating in Da Silva being abusive to officers and having to be taken away in a police vehicle.

Additionally, during one scheduled court appearance, Da Silva failed to turn up and a warrant was put out for her arrest.

Defence Advocate Alan Merrien said Da Silva was apologetic for her foul language. He said drink was involved in both cases.

Judge Gary Perry sentenced Da Silva to 160 hours of community service and forced her to pay £350 in compensation, despite suggesting that the custody threshold had clearly been passed.

“Your behaviour on both these occasions was appalling – behave like that again you go to prison,” he said.