A woman undergoing psychiatric treatment after believing herself to be "possessed" ripped her mum’s hair out and kicked a police officer in the face.

Jade Whittaker, of Heeks Crescent, Hilperton, pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, November 21 to actual bodily harm, assault of an emergency worker and criminal damage.

On February 10, 2024, a 999 call from a neighbour claimed Whittaker was assaulting her mother at her home. The report stated the mum had lost hair and been hit by a possibly drunk Whittaker.

The court heard after she was arrested she smashed a ceiling light in the police van and swore and shouted at officers, telling one to “shut up” - before kicking one in the face with two feet as they tried to get her out.

She was placed on the floor and had leg restraints fitted. The officer said they were “lucky not to get a serious injury” from the “disrespectful” kick.

James Burnham, prosecuting, read out the mum’s victim impact statement: “Jade is incredibly mentally unwell and she has been for more than a year and a half now. 

“Jade has and continues to act in a way that is incredibly out of character, which is incredibly worrying for the whole family and for people who know her.

“Whilst Jay will not admit to this to anyone, Jade believes that she is possessed by some form of entity.”

The mum said Whittaker is often seen out in public behaving strangely and talking to herself, and while once popular has become reclusive, and is finding it increasingly hard to mask her behaviours.

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The mum requested a restraining order and compensation for her not to be ordered, while Burnham added that she is of previous good character.

Whittaker, who represented herself, said she was upset when the police came to arrest her - first from the family altercation and second because she says she was punched in the face by her neighbour.

She said: “I hold my hands up, I broke the light on purpose”.

She wrote a letter of apology to the police officer, who the prosecutor and her agreed she hit out of recklessness rather than malice.

Whittaker said she had just left hospital for mental health treatment and is in receipt of help by the Nelson Trust.

The magistrate gave her a 15-month community order, with 30 rehabilitation activity days, and a total of £239 to be paid including a £114 surcharge, £85 costs and a £40 fine.