A FORMER Sandown woman punched to the ground by her boyfriend, then did the same thing to a police officer while pleading for her partner not to be arrested, a court heard.

She also laid a haymaker punch on the police officer's face, and was told by Isle of Wight magistrates her actions were worthy of imprisonment.

Ruby Owen, of no fixed address, admitted assaulting an emergency worker, namely a police officer, by beating, in Portsmouth, on November 9 last year.

Police officers, responding to a report of "a vicious assault" on Owen by her partner, who punched her to the ground, found her "drunk and acting irrationally" at a taxi rank, said Liz Miller, prosecuting.

But Owen, who became upset with officers, pleading not to arrest her partner, put down her bag and delivered a "haymaker-style" punch to the side of a female officer's face.

The blow caused her pain and headaches, as well as tenderness from nerve and tissue damage.

There was even an initial concern the blow may have caused a fracture.

Following her arrest, jobless Owen, 26, told police she could not remember why she attacked a colleague, who was "trying to help her after she'd been assaulted".

For Owen, Barry Arnett said his client was a troubled, vulnerable woman, missing her attacker — especially after he was immediately recalled from licence back to prison.  

"Her principle problem is alcohol, but she also has mental health issues.

"She has ten convictions for 11 offences — and she's knocking on the door of going into custody herself, which is something I wouldn't wish upon anyone in her state," explained Mr Arnett.

"She is a soul who is lost. Fortunately, she has not caused a fracture, but she has shown genuine remorse and wishes to apologise to the lady, who was only trying to help her after she was punched to the ground."

Magistrates told Owen, formerly of Fitzroy Street, the offence was so serious it had passed the custody threshold — but handed her six week's jail, suspended for 12 months.

Owen was also ordered to pay the injured officer £150 compensation, but not costs or a surcharge due to her means.