Sunderland mum covered with a 'spit hood' by police following arrest for criminal damage

A Sunderland mum cost taxpayers £120 by causing a police car to be professionally cleaned after twice spitting on a headrest after her arrest, a court heard. Brooklyn Gray’s vile behaviour in the back of the motor on Monday, October 9, led Northumbria Police to incur the charge.

Gray, 22, of Ocean Park Road, Seaburn, was so out of control, officers were forced to place a spit hood over her head to stop further incidents. She committed the offence while subject to a community order, imposed in July for another criminal matter, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told. The offender was also bailed to appear at court on Tuesday, October 24, but failed to keep that appointment, prosecutor Lee Poppett said.

Mr Poppett added: “The facts almost speak for themselves. Police have attended a report of a domestic incident. Ms Gray was arrested for unrelated matters and when in the police car, she spat at the headrest and then spat at it again.

“She was put in a spit hood. £120 was the cost of cleaning the vehicle. She should also have been here on October 24 but wasn’t. There seems to be a reasonable excuse for not being here, but she then didn’t hand herself in within the required seven days.”

Gray pleaded guilty to charges of causing criminal damage and failing to surrender to custody. Paul McAlindon, defending, said: “I think the criminal damage does speak for itself. It was committed when she was distressed and possibly intoxicated. It was not planned but was on impulse. It’s a possible starting point of a fine.”

Of failing to surrender to custody, Mr McAlindon added: “She was registering the birth of her child. She is a troubled young lady. Considering her age, she has perhaps some troubling issues on her record. She has had issues in the past with drugs and with alcohol. I think that the drugs are under control but not the alcohol. There are some difficulties that she causes for herself, but she is also vulnerable.”

It was said Gray had failed to comply with her community order and breach proceedings which could see her back in court were being started by the Probation Service. District Judge Zoe Passfield fined Gray £180 for causing criminal damage and £40 for failing to surrender, with an £88 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.