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| Lyndsay Cleghorn |
She then headbutted a second officer and lashed out at a third, a court was told.
Mayhem erupted on the doorstep of her Tyneside home after she drunkenly made a 999 call claiming her boyfriend had locked her in.
In fact she simply couldn’t find her keys because of how much she’d had to drink.
But when police turned up at her door she answered holding her baby
Officers expressed concern for the welfare of the youngster so Cleghorn let her Staffordshire Bull Terrier out and ordered “Get him Zeus”.
The dog latched onto PC Andrew McCarthy on both legs, causing four deep puncture wounds, Cleghorn then headbutted another officer and lashed out at another.
Now the 28-year-old, of Kyloe Place, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, has been freed on a suspended sentence after a judge heard she was getting help for her drink problem.
Recorder Ben Nolan, at Newcastle Crown Court, told her: “When you thought the police were there to take your baby away you set the dog on them.
“You used a weapon, namely the dog, and a police officer was injured. The victim was a police officer trying his best to do his public duty and you also put your own baby at risk of injury.”
Cleghorn contacted police in April claiming her partner had locked her in and threatened her.
But when police got there they were more concerned for the three-month-old baby.
When Cleghorn set the dog on them two officers jumped on a window sill, but PC McCarthy was bit on his calves.
At that point police decided to take the child into protective custody, sparking further violence.
Cleghorn admitted wounding and assault and was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Anne Richardson, defending, said: “She is disgusted by her behaviour that day, she was drunk.
“She has paid a high price as her children have been taken away from her now, although she still sees them every day.”
(Chronicle Live - Oct 7, 2011)
