A COUPLE found themselves in the dock after a hotel stay to deal with a bereavement got 'completely out of hand' and saw a police officer being assaulted.

Steven Davies and Libby Bowness-Hughes, who both gave an address of Gateway in Wrexham, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Bowness-Hughes, aged 18, admitted that on October 7, she assaulted a police officer in Wrexham, whereas 27-year-old Davies admitted that on that date he used threatening or abusive words or behaviour at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Ellice Way.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that at around 10am on the day of the offence, North Wales Police received a call from staff at the hotel due to the defendants 'screaming at each other' and refusing to leave the premises.

When officers arrived, it became clear both parties were under the influence of intoxicants.

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As one of the officers was dealing with the situation, he had his back to Bowness-Hughes, who approached him from behind and struck him twice.

One of the blows connected with his head and caused his glasses to fall off.
Mr Espie said the officer was "clearly shocked."

Bowness-Hughes was taken to the floor and arrested, following which Davies became abusive with the officers; shouting and swearing.

Reading from the police officer's statement, Mr Espie said Davies was loudly shouting "police are bullies" during the altercation, with Bowness-Hughes also shouting statements which seemed "very anti-police."

As she was being restrained and arrested, Bowness-Hughes would not stop "aggressively shouting" and was "frothing at the mouth" as she repeatedly told the police she'd been "just having a drink for her deceased friend."

Probation officer Andrew Connah told the court Bowness-Hughes claimed she felt the officers "were somewhat heavy handed" but accepted her behaviour had been "totally inappropriate."

Mr Connah said the couple, who had been in a relationship for 18 months, had attended the hotel with a friend - after the friend's partner's death.

He explained: "Everyone involved was extremely emotional at the time, which may have played a part in her subsequent behaviour.

"She accepts this is an alcohol related offence and that all of her offending has been undertaken while under the influence of alcohol.

"She tells me regarding her attitude towards the police, she understands they have a job to do but her experience of police officers up until now has not been good.

"That is an attitude that needs some exploration."

Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court her clients and the friend had gone to the hotel to grieve and celebrate the life of the deceased, but things "completely got out of hand" the next morning.

"Things escalated," she said.

"The funeral only took place yesterday, so emotions are still high.

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"Mr Davies took exception to how his girlfriend was treated by the police.

"Both of them have had a very rough 18 months and are technically homeless - but Mr Davies still manages to hold down a job as a carpet fitter."

Given their housing situation, the address both defendants gave to the court is a 'care of' address belonging to a family member, Ms Lewis added.

Bowness-Hughes received a 12 month community order with 10 days of rehabilitation activity and 50 hours of unpaid work.

She must also pay £100 compensation to the police officer she assaulted, as well as £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Davies received a £100 fine and was ordered to pay a £40 victim surcharge, as well as £85 costs.