Heacham woman admits affray after grabbing knife during arrest

A woman has been ordered to do 120 hours’ unpaid work for grabbing a kitchen knife as police closed in to arrest her.

Officers had been responding to a domestic incident in Hayley Howlett’s Dewdrop Crescent home at 4am on October 5, 2020.

King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court was told on Thursday of a chaotic scene with three children screaming.

Howlett was pepper sprayed twice during the struggle with three officers.

One officer said in a statement that he could understand that she was upset but grabbing a large knife created the chance of harm to officers and other members of the household.

He added: “I dread to think what she might have done with the knife had she had the chance to move the arm towards us.”

Prosecutor Kate Draper said: “It was a serious incident and fortunately it didn’t result in any injuries.”

Howlett, 34, had pleaded guilty to affray at an earlier hearing and was back in court following preparation of a pre-sentence report.

In mitigation, solicitor Charlotte Winchester said: “Mrs Howlett has said to me how extremely sorry she is for this behaviour. She’s mortified and disgusted at how she behaved.”

The defendant had used the incident as a “turning point” and was working on improving her life, added Miss Winchester.

As well as the unpaid work within the 18 month community order, Howlett must complete up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She was ordered to pay £145 costs, plus a £95 victim surcharge.