A WOMAN escaped jail after headbutting a police officer so hard he was left with a fractured nose.

Magistrates instead gave Hayley Spink a community order that will force her to address her anger issues caused by her past.

The Huddersfield court had heard how on December 9, Pc Andrew Jones was called to reports of a fight in the town centre.

Emma Downing, prosecuting, said that a group of females had been brawling in The Old Hatte pub in Trinity Street.

She said that the officer arrived at the scene and his attention was drawn to 21-year-old Spink.

Ms Downing said: “He was concerned about the defendant. She had visible injuries and was covered in blood. She was in drink and he started to speak with her.”

The prosecutor said that Spink, of Gibson Street in Oakes, then lashed out at the officer, with her head, hitting his face.

He had a fractured nose and had to have nasal manipulation surgery to reset it.

Spink admitted the charges of assault and being drunk and disorderly in a public place on the day that she was due to stand trial for them.

Ms Downing said: “She admitted that she had problems with anger management and that her temper had run away with her.”

Jonathan Slawinski, defending, said that Spink’s problem with anger stemmed from her childhood.

He said: “She witnessed domestic violence in the home, mum has been violent towards daughter and dad has been violent towards mum.

“When she was grabbed by the officer it brought back memories of how she was treated when she was a young girl.”

Mr Slawinski said that his client has never addressed her anger and alcohol issues and would benefit from the chance to do that in the community.

He added: “She’s in desperate need of some form of counselling due to the abuse she suffered as a child.”

Magistrates said they were giving Spink a chance to turn her life around but warned her that she faces prison if she steps out of line again.

The community order includes a 50-day activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.

The bench also ordered her to pay £300 compensation to the police officer for his injuries.