Mum of three who battered policewoman avoids jail despite nasty boast

A single mum who bragged "I hope that bizzy got a good punch" after she beat up a policewoman in the street has escaped with a £160 fine - after a judge blamed booze for her loutish behaviour. Lucy Cleary, 28, who lives off state handouts, was said to have rained multiple blows upon PC Robyn Lowe's head in a drunken rage as she was being detained for throwing glasses and chairs around a Wetherspoons pub.

Chester Magistrates' Court heard she later told officers: "Mate, she deserved the punch in the face" and "I hope that bizzy got a good punch because she deserved it." But this week Cleary, from Moulton in Winsford, Cheshire, avoided jail after District Judge Ian Barnes accepted her plea she only struck the officer in the face once and that alcohol played a part.

The judge told her: "That punch was used against an emergency worker, a police officer just doing their job and I have seen the injury. They have a nasty lump to their head afterwards.

"You were also making comments in the police station suggesting perhaps there was little remorse. But I expect that was in drink and I suspect on reflection you have different views.

"You were a lady of good character and that is relevant. You have also pleaded guilty so you are entitled to full credit for that."

The incident occurred on April 15th 2025 at 11.15pm after Cleary was thrown out of the Penny Black pub in Northwich, Cheshire, following a row with another customer.

Prosecutor Annika Livermore said: "Though ejected, she returned a short time later where she continued with the verbal altercation.

"The bar manager intervened but she pushed him. She started to throw drink glasses about the venue narrowly missing other customers. Chairs were also thrown by the defendant.

"She continued to shove the manager and police were called. PC Robyn Lowe arrived and saw Miss Cleary running towards her. She detained her who immediately started to resist.

"It was during this time Miss Cleary was violent towards the officer. She pushed her away and at one point had her hand on the officer's chest, throat and face.

"Miss Cleary tried to run away but PC Lowe pursued on foot. She punched the officer several times to the head. It resulted in the officer's use of incapacity spray to her face.

"The officer sustained a lump to the eye brow. Other patrols arrived and Cleary said to one of the officers: 'Mate she deserved the punch in the face' admitting 'Yeh, that's a significant comment'.

"Upon Miss Cleary's arrival at the police station, she stated, 'I hope that bizzy got a good punch because she deserved it'."

Mother-of-three Cleary, who has no previous convictions, gave "no comment" in police interview.

Her lawyer Hannah Kelly said her client only punched the officer once in the face, adding: "It was one push and one punch and she accepts the injury.

"There's no attempt to blame here, she does not minimise her behaviour or blame alcohol.

"Miss Cleary is a single mother with three children. She is currently receiving benefits and any financial penalty I would ask that to be deducted from benefits."

Cleary was also sentenced to a 12 month community order with up to 10 rehabilitation activity days.

She was ordered to pay £300 in compensation to PC Lowe and £50 to the pub for the damage she caused and the mess that had to be cleaned up.

The judge also imposed a licensed premises exclusion order forbidding her from going to the Penny Black pub for 12 months. Another woman faces trial later this year over the fracas.