A woman continued to assault police as a court tried to give her mental health help. And a judge told her: "I feel the end of the road has been arrived at."
Sophie Ashford, who has a personality disorder, deluged the 999 line with abusive calls saying she was not being supported. But instead of complying with officers who came to her aid she attacked them, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The 23-year-old, of Meadow Grove, Shirehampton, pleaded guilty to 19 assaults on an emergency worker, common assault and two charges of using the public communication network to cause annoyance.
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Judge William Hart jailed her for 12 months. He told Ashford: "These offences are so very serious and so regularly repeated.
"Your personality disorder is largely behind your offending and your culpability is reduced, but not extinguished.
"You know as well as I do, Miss Ashford, that both your barrister and mental health services have done all they can to help you and the public without imposing a custodial sentence. I feel the end of the road has been arrived at."
Emily Heggadon, prosecuting, said Ashford's assaults on police included kicking them to the legs and groin. The court heard in October Ashford rang 999 42 times in less than two hours, saying she didn't feel police were supporting her and verbally abusing them.
Ashford had 12 previous court appearances for 44 like offences. In the past she had been handed community orders with mental health treatment, but continued to offend.
Gregory Gordon, defending, suggested the court could impose a mental health treatment programme - against the reccomendation of those running it - or a community order. He said a third option would be a short prison sentence.
Mr Gordon told the court: "She is a young woman who very obviously needs help. She suffers with complete inability to restrain herself when police intervene.
"Prison would mean a woman further alienated by the system beyond the point she already feels alienated. She presents as someone who simply doesn't know what to do."
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