A WOMAN who turned up drunk at a Deeside primary school and ended up assaulting the deputy head mistress and causing damage, has been spared an immediate prison sentence.
Amanda Perez received three months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
She was placed on supervision for a year and was sent on an alcohol course and an anger management programme, run by the probation service. She was also ordered to pay £435 compensation and £85 prosecution costs.
Flintshire Magistrates Court was told Perez, 43, turned up at the school to pick up a child.
But concerned staff would not allow her to do so because of her drunken condition.
She was taken inside at Bryn Deva Primary School in Linden Avenue, Connah’s Quay, away from other people.
But in an office she hurled a large stapler at deputy head Helen Evans which narrowly missed her right arm.
Staff left but she then went on to cause £1,000 worth of damage to a mug, a CCTV system and a laptop.
Police were called but before officers arrived, she had fallen asleep on a settee close to the main entrance.
Perez, now of Springfield Road in Malpas, Cheshire, admitted assault and criminal damage, following the incident on July 5.
Matthew Ellis, prosecuting, said Perez turned up intoxicated to pick up a child. She was asked inside and was told staff did not believe she was in a fit state to care for a child.
The deputy head liaised with staff and social services, was advised to call the police and the defendant became aggressive. She picked up a large stapler and threw it at the deputy head, narrowly missing her - that constituted the assault.
Police arrived, she was incoherent, but when officers established she had taken 20 tablets and some wine she was taken to hospital.
Later interviewed, she told how she was a recovering alcoholic and was on medication for that and depression.
Things had been getting on top of her and the previous day she had taken tablets and then on the afternoon of the incident drank half bottle of wine. She did not recall throwing the item at the deputy head or causing the damage.
Brian Cross, defending, said Perez had mental health issues and needed assistance.
She had been hospitalised at one stage but had spent a considerable period out in the community. She had been referred to various agencies for assistance and suffered from severe depression and other issues.
There had been no intention to commit the offences, but in view of her self-induced alcoholic state, and the taking of the tablets, she had pleaded guilty on the basis that she accepted she had done what was alleged.