A woman who assaulted two police officer by kicking them in the groin has been handed a suspended sentence.

Rebekka Lowther, of Alder Road, Douglas, was sentenced to four months custody, suspended for 18 months by magistrates.

The 24-year-old was also made the subject of a 12-month suspended sentence supervision order (SSSO).

We previously reported that a taxi driver called police on May 5 at 11.30pm after dropping Lowther off at her home.

He said she had walked off and gone into her house without paying the £6.70 fee from Sulby Road in Douglas.

Police saw Lowther at her front door, shouting and described her as clearly drunk, smelling of alcohol and slurring her words.

They asked her to discuss the matter inside as she was barely wearing any clothes but once in the house Lowther was said to have become aggressive shouting: ’Get out of my house,’ and flailing her arms.

She was arrested and kicked out striking a female officer in the groin area.

After being taken to police headquarters Lowther’s anger continued as she kicked a male officer in the groin as she was being put in a cell.

Lowther was interviewed later and told police she had drunk one or two bottles of wine and was heavily intoxicated. She claimed she could not find her money and had gone into the house to find some.

Lowther said she had lashed out because she was annoyed at herself and apologised for her behaviour.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander asked the court to follow the recommendation of a probation report which had suggested a suspended sentence as a suitable punishment.

Ms Alexander said that Lowther had visited the taxi office with flowers after the offence, paid the fare and apologised.

The probation report was said to have mentioned a possible Covid-19 regulation breach but Ms Alexander said Lowther had not been charged with anything.

’Ms Lowther worked in a caring role for a number of years and is extremely passionate about working with vulnerable people,’ said the advocate.

’She left her previous role some time ago and was experiencing stress about these proceedings and about a lack of personal protection equipment (PPE).

’She wants to study for qualifications in health and social care.’

Ms Alexander asked the court to take into account Lowther’s co-operation in interview with police, her guilty pleas, letters of apology she had written to the two police officers, a self-referral to the Drug and Alcohol Team (DAT), and a positive probation report.

’She has done all those things without being prompted.

’She has not had any alcohol since the incident and doesn’t envisage herself drinking again in future,’ said the advocate.

Magistrates chair David Craine told Lowther: ’You have done very well.

’You’ve turned your life around, please keep on that path.’

Lowther was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.