A teenager who punched a police officer in the face has been sentenced to 18 weeks’ custody.

Katie Alice O’Sullivan, of North Shore Road, Ramsey, was already on a suspended sentence for a previous police assault.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith sentenced the 17-year-old to eight weeks’ custody for the latest assault and activated 10 weeks from a 22-week suspended sentence to run consecutively.

O’Sullivan admitted the assault as well as the theft of a bottle of vodka from the Co-op.

The court heard she was sentenced to 22 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, in July 2019 for offences which included assaults on police, resisting arrest and theft of alcohol.

Speaking of the latest offences, prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon said the assault took place on October 5 when O’Sullivan was in custody for other matters that were discontinued.

She pushed an officer in the chest then punched him on the left side of the face above the eye.

The theft took place on November 11 at the Co-op in Christian Street in Ramsey.

Defence advocate Matthew Wilshaw asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty pleas.

He said: ’ She is a Jekyll and Hyde character. One description of her is polite, pleasant and intelligent. Then someone who, when alcohol is involved, makes the wrong decision time and time again.

’There is no getting away from her previous convictions.

’The probation report makes reference throughout to her genuine remorse and willingness to change. She is engaging with probation.’

O’Sullivan has written a letter to the police officer apologising for her actions.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith told the teenager: ’Those who assault police officers must expect to receive a custodial sentence.’