Smirking woman locked up after threatening 999 workers with broken bottle

A 20-year-old Selby woman has been sent to a young offenders’ institution after admitting threatening emergency workers with a broken bottle.

Jessica Louise Simms of The Crescent appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on 24 September where she was told that the offences were so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified. She was subsequently sentenced to 12 months detention and ordered to pay £79 in compensation and a further surcharge of £187.

On 17 September Simms had threatened a paramedic and a firefighter with the broken bottle and laterer caused damage to a police cell while under arrest.

She was later charged with two counts of threatening a person with an offensive weapon, criminal damage and breaching a community protection notice that barred her from entering Selby railway station. She pleaded guilty to all offences.

The community protection notice that Simms breached was the result of a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer, impersonating a police officer and causing the wasteful employment of police. During her arrest on that occasion, she kicked an officer four times.

At the hearing, Simms was re-sentenced for the offence of assaulting a police officer and given three months’ detention which will run concurrent (at the same time) to the new 12-month sentence.

PC Emily Blackwell of Selby Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Jessica Simms’ actions have wasted countless hours of police, ambulance and other emergency service time, diverting resources away from genuine incidents and people who are in real need of assistance.

“Today's sentence sends a clear message that such behaviour is not a game and will not be tolerated. Emergency services exist to protect the public, safeguard vulnerable people and keep our communities safe. Those who deliberately waste these valuable resources can expect to be held accountable for their actions.”