Sunderland Woman Escapes Jail For Shouting Abuse At Moat Victim
29 June 2011, 09:44 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
A woman from Sunderland who shouted "bang, bang" at the police officer left blind when Raoul Moat shot him has been sentenced to 12 months under supervision
Kelsey Donkin was warned she could be jailed for up to 12 months when she admitted a public order offence at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Monday.
But District Judge Stephen Earl sentenced her to a 12-month supervision order and ordered the 22-year-old to pay #105 costs out of her benefits.
He said: "To make fun of such an incident, frankly, is a mark of immaturity and pathetic, juvenile behaviour.'"
Donkin was showing off in front of 12 friends when she shouted ``bang, bang'' at Pc Rathband, who was blinded by Raoul Moat, as he walked into Newcastle Crown Court to attend the trial of two of Moat's accomplices on March 2.
The mother of three from Southwick, Sunderland, also made a gesture as though she was holding a shotgun and the incident left him so upset he had to go home.
Donkin, who has dyed her hair since Monday and wore glasses for the sentencing, replied ``Aha'', when asked afterwards if she was relieved to have escaped jail.
She said: ``I'm very, very sorry. I've written him a letter and I've apologised.''
