Off-Duty Cops Tackle Violent Shopper in Stanley Asda
A Durham Constabulary officer and her partner were doing their weekly shop at Stanley’s Asda in July 2021 when chaos broke out at the tills.
Shopper Punches Cashier, Turns on Police
Brittany Shea, 26, suddenly lashed out and punched the cashier in the head. Spotting trouble, the off-duty officers stepped in, identifying themselves and halting Shea by sitting her back down on her mobility scooter.
While staff tended to the victim and dialled 999, the situation worsened. Shea turned viciously on both officers, biting them despite their efforts to restrain her until uniformed police arrived.
Officers Hospitalised with Permanent Scars
Both officers needed hospital treatment and suffered permanent scars from the attack. At Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on May 2, one officer told District Judge Steven Hood the disfigurement is a daily, lifelong reminder of that harrowing day.
Judge Hands Down Community Order, Warns of Custodial Sentence
Brittany Shea, who also goes by Amoshett Mullins, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of assault. She pleaded guilty to all charges.
“Police officers are never off duty, as it’s said,” Judge Hood remarked, praising their bravery.
After hearing Shea’s mitigation, Judge Hood sentenced her to the maximum community order possible: two years with 40 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 130 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay each officer £400 compensation.
“I cannot emphasise enough how close you were to a custodial sentence,” the judge warned Shea.
