A SOUTHAMPTON woman who swung a kettle and threw a shopping trolley at a police officer has escaped prison despite asking the judge to put her behind bars.

Karen Swain pleaded guilty to assault and the assault of a police officer, as well as breaching a suspended sentence, a court heard.

Despite pleading with Recorder Frank Abbott to send her to prison, she was given a 24-month community order and fined a nominal £1 fee for the breach at Southampton Crown Court.

Swain , of Benhams Road in Townhill Park, had admitted to both cases of assault which happened in July 17 this year and asked to be sent to prison.

Police were called to her address at Benhams Road, Townhill Park, after she was found having a fight with a neighbour, Leighton Wood.

During the incident Swain had grabbed Mr Wood’s throat twice, the court was told.

The fight carried on for several minutes, with Mr Wood restraining Swain and leaving her pinned on the ground as officers arrived.

Despite being restrained, Swain then grabbed a kettle, which she swung at one of the officers and threw a shopping trolley at them.

The court heard that during the fight, Swain injured PC Richardson, who was left with pain in her arms and blood drawn, as well as scratch marks.

In a statement read to the court, PC Richardson said: “I don’t come to work expecting to be assaulted. I now have to come home to young children who think I’ve done something wrong as blood has been drawn to the surface.

“I’m now less likely to trust others.”

Recorder Abbott labelled the 56-year-old as ‘an appalling nuisance’ before giving her a 24-month community order and fining her a £1 fee for the breach..

The previous suspended sentence was in relation to an assault and theft in 2015, with 56-year-old Swain being put under a 24-month suspended sentence which expires on September 22.

Recorder Abbott said: “If people live near people like this, it is very frightening for them to know if it will flair up again.

“You are an appalling nuisance, and extremely unpleasant.”

Swain responded by asking the judge to be sent to prison, with the Recorder saying a likely sentence would be around nine months.

Recorder Abbott said: “I’m not going to do that, because you may serve four to five months, and then probably lose your accommodation and after coming out, be back to square one.”

Swain was also ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge.