Police gassed drunk woman in 'witch' row

A DRUNK woman who accused a fellow resident of being a witch had to be subdued by police using CS gas.

Haddy Gaye, 23, of Neath Street, Bedminster became angry after drinking alcohol and returned to the accommodation she and the victim, Cornelia Shimi, then both lived in.

The pair began chatting and Gaye spoke to Ms Shimi about problems she was having with her boyfriend.

Laura Opie, prosecuting, told Bristol magistrates that during the course of the evening, on May 31, Gaye became angry and started accusing Ms Shimi of being a witch.

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"Ms Shimi had broken her leg and wasn't able to defend herself when Gaye grabbed her arm and poured a can of lager over her head," Miss Opie told the court.

"She was still shouting 'she is a witch, she is a witch', and so the police were called.

"Gaye was asked to go back to her room but because of her drunkenness she fell on the floor.

"When officers tried to bring her to her feet she lashed out at them and kicked them to their lower legs.

"The officers had to use CS gas to restrain her."

The court heard that while at the police station Gaye switched the tape recorder off and refused to answer any questions.

In a victim impact statement made to police Ms Shimi said she was "frightened and scared" during the incident and added that during the attack she had felt "helpless and vulnerable".

Ms Opie asked magistrates to consider a restraining order to keep Gaye away from Ms Shimi.

Gaye pleaded guilty to two offences of assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty and to one charge of common assault against Ms Shimi.

The court heard that Gaye had been to prison in 2009 and had previous convictions for assaulting police officers.

The court heard that Gaye was also in breach of two community orders when she committed the offences.

Peter Richardson, defending, explained that Gaye had problems with alcohol and also had issues with her mental health.

The accommodation in Hillside, Cotham, where the incident took place was specifically for people with mental health issues.

Mr Richardson said that Gaye had come to the UK from Gambia as a 13-year-old in 2002.

He said she was ashamed of what she had done but had become paranoid due to her mental state.

Magistrates sentenced Gaye to another community order, for 12 months, with supervision and an alcohol treatment requirement.

She was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.

A restraining order was put in place for two years – Gaye must not contact Ms Shimi or go to Hillside in Cotham.