Woman sentenced for hammer attack on ex's house

A woman who threatened to kill her ex-partner as she attacked his home with a hammer has been handed a suspended prison term.

Cheryl Jackson, 45 and from North Shields, smashed the man's front door and had also been armed with a knife, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

She went on to kick police officers and verbally abuse medical staff trying to treat a cut to her hand, the court heard.

Jackson admitted seven offences including affray and was jailed for 21 months, suspended for two years.

Jackson and her ex-partner broke up 16 years ago but remained in contact as they had children together, prosecutor Ellen Wright said.

On the evening of 12 September, the man woke to the sound of glass being smashed, the court heard.

He went downstairs and found Jackson had smashed the window in his front door and was striking at the door with a hammer, Ms Wright said.

Neighbours heard her shouting she would kill the man and make him suffer, the court was told.

When police arrived, she lashed out at officers with her feet and threatened to spit at them.

She also pointed out a bag containing a knife which she said she had brought with her because she wanted to stab her ex-partner, Ms Wright said.

Officers took Jackson to hospital so a cut on her hand could be looked at but doctors refused to treat her as she was so aggressive towards them, the court heard.

She was later released on bail with a condition not to contact her ex, but several days later she rang him twice and made more threats to kill him.

In a statement read to the court, the man said he lived in fear of Jackson and was looking to move so she would not know where he lived.

The police officer kicked by Jackson said she did not go to work to be assaulted and the abuse directed at officers and health workers had been "vile".

Jackson, of Morwick Road, admitted offences including criminal damage, possession of a weapon and bladed article, assaulting an emergency worker and making malicious communications.

A restraining order was also made to last indefinitely.

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