Plan B Forum

A female police officer has been awarded £1,000 compensation from a criminal who spat at her when she was trying to restrain him.

PC Sarah Botham feared she could have caught hepatitis from the spittle of unemployed father of two Lee Birtles, but tests later proved negative.

Her compensation award is the maximum allowed by law - and even the local Police Federation described the penalty as 'quite astonishing'.

Birtles narrowly avoided prison at Barnsley Magistrates' Court in South Yorkshire after he admitted assaulting Ms Botham.

The officer worried that she may have contracted hepatitis after swallowing some of the defendant's spittle during the incident.

Birtles had been arrested for breaching the peace and officers were trying to prevent him harming himself at Barnsley police station.

Matthew Shepherd, defending, said the risk of Ms Botham catching hepatitis was 'remote', and Birtles was sorry for his actions.

Presiding magistrate Carole Howard said Birtles had come close to being jailed, and added that she had been 'distressed' to hear about his behaviour.

As well as paying £1,000 compensation, Birtles was given a six-month curfew, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

After the hearing Neil Bowles, chairman of the South Yorkshire Police Federation said: 'The payout is quite astonishing.

'But punishments like this are an essential deterrent to assaults on officers in any manner let alone a vile offence like this. The officer also had to await test results.'

He later added: 'My initial reaction upon hearing the news of the size of the compensation award was surprise, but pleasantly so.

'We in the Police Federation have been calling for stiffer penalties for those convicted of assaulting police officers for as long as I can remember.'

Mr Bowles concluded: 'We applaud that decision and hope that courts across the county and the rest of England and Wales follow suit.'

When faced with a terrifying situation, many of us lose the power of speech.



But not for one woman - who was handed a bravery award today for shouting 'f*** off' to an armed robber.

The mother-of-three - who insists she never normally swears - will receive a reward of £150 after she sent thief Jason Jackson packing.

A court heard how Jackson, 37, burst into her newsagent's wielding a blade and demanding money.

But cashier Michelle stood her ground - she refused to give him any money and instead swore at him and called the police.

Judge Neil Bidder said: 'I think she deserves an award for her bravery.'
Hands off! Michelle said she was trying to protect her living when she confronted the knifeman and called the police

Hands off! Michelle said she was trying to protect her living when she confronted the knifeman, swore at him and called the police

'A knife was being pointed at her and she had the presence of mind to pick up the phone and that led to the arrest.

'She should be given an award from public funds and I authorise the high sheriff to pay her.

'It is not a lot of money but it marks the views of the court.'

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Jackson targeted the news agents in Barry, South Wales, because he thought it would be an easy target.

Prosecutor Jonathan Bushell said: 'He got more than he bargained for when he confronted her.

'She was stunned but told him: "f*** off - I'm on a direct line to the police," and picked up her phone to dial 999.'

Jackson, of Barry, fled the scene empty handed, but was later arrested and jailed for two years and eight months.

Michelle was given the reward from the High Sheriff of South Glamorgan after her brave actions.

Speaking after the case, she said: 'I wouldn't normally swear but it did the trick.

'The award is a complete surprise but it is lovely.

'I was very scared but I'm still here and working - when it's your living you have no choice, you just have to carry on.'