Eastbourne women jailed after assaulting officers at illegal lockdown houseparty

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Bayleigh Meadows and Millie Robinson, both 21, were drinking and playing loud music at a friend’s flat around 11pm on April 8 when the group were interrupted by two police officers encouraging them to return to their own homes.

According to the CPS, the women quickly became abusive and denied officers entry to the address – with Robinson taunting a female PC repeatedly with threats such as: “I’ve got coronavirus, watch out.”

The CPS said that when a male police sergeant tried to arrest Robinson for her aggression, the confrontation became violent as the intoxicated women punched and kicked at the officers.

According to the CPS, during the assault, Meadows swung a metal toilet roll holder with a heavy wooden base at the sergeant – leaving a cut on the left-hand side of his forehead that needed to be glued in hospital.

The CPS said Sussex Police back-up units later arrived and detained the women, with body-worn footage capturing the attack.

Meadows, who has previous convictions for assaulting police officers, according to the CPS, was jailed for 12 months for ABH at Lewes Crown Court today. Robinson received a six-month prison sentence for assaulting an emergency worker.

Lorna Lee, Senior Crown Prosecutor, said, “The CPS has unfortunately had to prosecute many assaults on police during the coronavirus lockdown but this attack stands out as one of the most shameful.

“The two officers were performing an important public health duty in calmly and patiently explaining to the women why parties were not allowed at this time.

“In response they were met with a barrage of insults and sustained physical violence by the intoxicated and dangerously out-of-control defendants, which lasted several minutes.

“It was only luck that Bayleigh Meadows did not inflict a more serious injury when she struck one officer with a heavy object.

“The CPS will continue to treat assaults on police officers and other emergency workers with the utmost priority as the country tackles the coronavirus pandemic.”

The CPS revealed in May that 313 prosecutions for assaults on emergency workers were completed in the first month of lockdown.

Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, has repeatedly warned that anyone attacking emergency workers – including by coughing and spitting – faces up to 12 months in prison.

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