An Isle of Wight woman who kicked out at police while in possession of a knife in Ryde has been let off ‘lightly’ at sentencing, a judge said.

Megan Lily Startin, of no fixed abode, previously pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting an emergency worker and a further charge of possessing a knife in a public place.

The 32-year-old attended the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing on Monday, February 19.

Tim Devlin, prosecuting, said on the afternoon of May 14, 2023, police were called to Fellowship House on Green Street in Ryde after Startin arrived and hurled abusive language at staff while holding a bottle of alcohol.

Mr Devlin said police arrived at the scene and convinced Startin to put the bottle down before handcuffing her amid safety fears.

During the arrest, Startin kicked out at two police constables, and, while being transported to Newport Police Station, made homophobic and insulting comments at the officers.

Startin was found to be in possession of a locking knife at the time of the incident.

Judge Robert Hill described the incident as disgraceful and foul.

Jonathan Underhill, defending, said his client was in crisis at the time of the incident and is not the same person now.

Mr Underhill told the court the knife Startin had in her possession was used as a domestic tool while living on the streets and was not for protection.

Startin suffers from a series of mental health and medical conditions and is signed off from work, the defence said.

Judge Hill handed Startin a 12-month community order to include 30 rehabilitation days and an alcohol abstinence plan.  

“Some people will think you're getting off lightly, but in your case, I am pretty restricted by your health,” he said.

"You're getting off lightly because there is very little I can do."

Judge Hill warned Startin that if she should breach her community order, a much more serious sentence would be passed.