A Harrogate woman yesterday (October 2) admitted to obstructing a police constable in the execution of his duty.

Claire Slack, 42, pleaded guilty to the offence during a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Alison Whiteley, defending, told the court police were called to a property on Stonefall Avenue in Starbeck shortly before 10pm on July 8.

An allegation of harassment had been made to the police at the time and, when they arrived, they saw a man standing outside a property on the road.

Police arrested the man and started putting handcuffs on him, when Slack became “obstructive”.

The court heard Slack, of Walworth Avenue, tried to block the arrest by pushing a named officer away from the man and pushing the handcuffs away.

Slack was told to stop but she continued, so she was arrested.

Defendant ‘panicked’ about man's arrest

Sean Wilson, defending, told the court Slack “loses her good character” as a result of the conviction.

Mr Wilson said the man who was being arrested is Slack’s carer, adding she “panicked” when she saw him being arrested and tried to obstruct police.

Slack has a carer due to her “significant health problems”, which include several tumours down her oesophagus.

“Most of them are benign but doctors have been unable to rule out that they are all benign”, Mr Wilson added.

He also said:

Slack is prescribed a number of medications, including anti-depressants, for her health issues.

The magistrates ordered Slack to pay a total of £141, including a £40 fine, a £16 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.