A hairdresser was given a lenient sentence after attacking a police officer during an attempt to arrest her for drunk driving

Katie Bradsell, 35, faced legal consequences for driving home under the influence after a prolonged drinking session, but avoided prison time. The incident occurred in January when she consumed eight pints of lager and tequila over a seven-hour period at her local pub.

Bradsell opted to drive the 1.1-mile journey home in her Audi, despite being offered multiple rides by pub patrons and staff. Sue Summers, the pub’s landlady, called the police after Bradsell claimed her residence was “only down the road” from the Saughall Arms in Cheshire. Officers arrived at her address to find the car parked in her driveway.

During the arrest, Bradsell refused a breath test and aggressively kicked an officer as they approached her vehicle. At the police station, she again declined to provide a breath sample and struck a door repeatedly, causing minor harm to another officer. Neither officer suffered serious injuries in the confrontation.

Legal charges and sentencing

Bradsell pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and a charge of failing to provide a breath sample. On Wednesday, she received a 12-month community order, which includes 20 rehabilitation activity days and a three-month alcohol treatment program.

As part of her sentence, Bradsell must pay £75 in compensation to each officer involved and cover £199 in additional costs. Her legal history includes a 2023 conviction for racially aggravated harassment, where she insulted a mixed-race neighbor with derogatory remarks during a dispute. She also has a 2020 record for assault on an emergency worker.

“She had been drinking at the pub from 3pm to around 10pm, and Ms Summers estimated she had consumed eight pints of lager and a shot of alcohol,” said Lisa McGuire, the prosecutor.

“Miss Bradsell then stated her intent to drive home, even though she was clearly intoxicated. People around her urged her to take a lift, but she insisted on driving,” McGuire added.

Defense solicitor Catherine Higham highlighted Bradsell’s mental health struggles, noting that she used alcohol as a coping mechanism. She explained that Bradsell was partially medicated but still faced challenges in accessing consistent care from her general practitioner.

Speaking at the sentencing, District Judge Jack McGarva remarked, “It is clear that personal difficulties have made it hard for you to manage, but relying on alcohol only worsens the situation. For someone with anxiety and depression, it’s the worst choice possible. The highs from drinking lead to severe lows afterward.”