A teenager is on trial for allegedly scratching and pinching police officers after her sister was arrested on suspicion of stealing smartphones from food delivery drivers.
The 18-year-old Jordanian woman has been charged with assaulting police officers and badmouthing civil servants in public while they were on duty, the High Criminal Court heard.
“While at work at the police station, I saw the defendant with her sister, who was detained after being reported for theft,” a policewoman, who the girl allegedly assaulted, earlier testified.
“She had been allowed to spend five minutes with her sister, but when the time was over, she refused to leave. She violently slammed the table, saying that we should leave her alone.
“When things started to get out of hand, I tried to get her to stop, but she pushed me at my chest and grappled my hand, bending my fingers backwards.”
The witness added that the defendant was then detained and transported with her sister to the Police Fort clinic for an unspecified examination.
When they arrived at the fort, the Jordanian was taken to the radiology section, but as soon as her handcuffs were removed, she allegedly tried to run away.
She only managed to run 10 metres before she was caught.
According to another policewoman, the defendant yelled ‘you’re horrible and disgusting’, then pinched her hand and dug her nails into it.
Some of the scratches and bruises were noted in the medical examiner’s report, but they were not serious and took less than three weeks to heal.
The girl was charged with physically harming and insulting policewomen on the line of duty.
“I admit to assaulting the officer,” the Jordanian told the Public Prosecution.
“I was at the Hoora Police Station, where my statement was being taken following the arrest of my sister on suspicion of stealing smartphones from Talabat drivers.
“The policewoman told me to hurry up and then began yelling at me. I apologise for my actions.”
Judges adjourned the hearing to April 22 for defence arguments.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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