A mother who savagely beat a police officer in front of her three children during an outburst at 4:00 a.m. as he and a colleague arrested her for being intoxicated and belligerent faces jail time.
On September 18, Rebecca Cowen, 28, attempted to bite a police officer on the wrist and then kicked a second officer after they reacted to a 999 call from a neighbor.
When authorities arrived at the Widnes, Cheshire, address, they discovered Cowen outside with her two girls, who were crying on the street as their mother cried drunkenly, “Get out of my house!”
Officers discovered that all four were reportedly locked out of the house and none of them were dressed appropriately for the early morning temperatures.
Inquiries conducted after Cowan’s arrest found that she was still subject to a nine-month suspended prison sentence for assault, which was set to expire just three days later on September 21.
She later told police that she turns violent when intoxicated.
Cowen confessed attacking PCs Jamie Connolly and Thomas Sargent before Warrington Magistrates Court and was told to appear before a crown court judge for punishment. Neither cop was injured during the struggle.
Angela Blackmore, the prosecutor, stated, “The cops responded to an abandoned 999 call.” A woman was heard yelling, “Get out of my house!” as children were heard wailing.
“When officers arrived, they saw Miss Cowen outside with her children. At 4:05 a.m., the police reported that the defendant was inebriated. Nobody was dressed correctly for the weather, and there was concern for the safety of all parties.
“It was stated that the key was with another individual, so the officer went and located it.” The defendant appeared extremely intoxicated and made comments about the neighbors.
Mrs. Blackmore reported that when the officers said they wanted to check her address to see if anyone was home, Cowen did not grant them permission to enter. She then began shouting and making threats, and after denying an officer’s request to place one of her children on the ground, she began “swinging and kicking out.”
Mrs. Blackmore stated that Cowan attacked PC Connolly and PC Sargent while inside her residence.
Mrs. Blackmore stated, “They attempted to relocate her to another room,” and Officer Connolly stated that she attempted to bite his arm and wrist. He attempted to remove it fast. She makes contact, but there was no resulting injury.
There were unpleasant references made. She made statements to officer Jamie Connolly, which led to the arrest of the defendant. The incident also implicated Officer Sargent. He witnessed her attempt to bite the officer.
The defendant was also responsible for expelling. Officer Sargent feels that contact was made. The defendant resisted with great vigor, but she was ultimately shackled. She made offensive remarks when she was arrested. She was silent during the interview.
The prosecutor informed the court that Cowen had previously received a nine-month suspended sentence for assault resulting in bodily harm from Liverpool Crown Court.
“These fresh offenses occurred just days before the expiration of the suspended sentence,” stated Mrs. Blackmore.
Cowen’s attorney, Mark Lever, stated, “The punishment has expired, but the offense was done under the terms of the suspended sentence.”
“She has major mental health issues, and tomorrow she will have an evaluation to see why, when she has been drinking, she suddenly gets really violent.” There is activity in that area.
On November 22, District Judge Jack McGarva committed Cowen to the Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing.
“The judge at the crown court will determine the outcome of the case,” he said.
“I understand that you were towards the end of your suspended term, but because these offenses involved violence, which is why you were on a suspended sentence in the first place, I believe the penalty must be carried out.
I do not wish to restrict the discretion of the crown court.