When a police sergeant separated a woman from the partner she was threatening to harm because she said he had cheated on her, he ended up being her victim.

Sgt Michael Friday was kicked in the stomach and scratched by 45-year-old Caroline Williams, of Loggans Way, Hayle. At Truro Magistrates’ Court she pleaded guilty to obstructing the officer on January 9.

Alison May, for the CPS, said when the sergeant went to her address, Williams told him: "He has been cheating on me,” referring to her partner. Because she was hysterical, shouting and screaming and threatening the man, Sgt Friday prepared to use his Taser.

Things quietened down for a while, but then Williams started shouting and threatening again, kicking the television, so the officer arrested her. While he was putting on the handcuffs, she attacked him.

She later said she had been drinking, which she should not have done while on medication. She had a previous conviction in 2007 for police assault.

Her solicitor Deborah Von Kohler said Williams was genuinely sorry for assaulting Sgt Friday, something she could not really remember doing. She had significant mental health problems.

Williams was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and had to pay £95 costs and charges.