A teenager was caught drink driving by police after she “took the stupid decision” to travel home when she missed a taxi with friends to an afterparty after a night out in Newtown.

But when Rachel Hughes, from Carno, “kicked off” at the police station, she kicked an officer in the genital area and again in the groin which she said was due to her “hot-headed temper and reaction to being manhandled”.

Hughes, who was 17 at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to six charges including possession of cocaine, cannabis, drink driving and assaulting two emergency workers when she appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (August 16).

The court was told that on April 24 police officers were on patrol in Newtown town centre when they saw a Renault Clio "being driven at speed". They followed the car to Wesley Street where the driver, Hughes, got out of the vehicle and ran off. She was arrested and taken to the police station after officers found 0.2 grams of cocaine and 0.5 grams of herbal cannabis, and a cannabis grinder.

A breath test reading provided by Hughes was 61 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms.

Justin Espie, prosecutor, said: “She reacted violently and kicked PC Reed to the genital area. The defendant was restrained by officers, and she kicked PC Price’s upper leg and continued to kick out again and kicked PC Reed in the groin area. PC Reed describes that as a result of the assault, he sustained an injury to his right-hand thumb. I urge you to take into consideration the pain and discomfort.”

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Hughes was released while the investigation continued but on May 27 she was caught again with a small amount of cannabis.

Paul Inns, who was acting on behalf of Hughes, said she “panicked” when she saw police in town on April 24.

“That was her first time in custody as a young lady and she hadn’t taken it well, it’s safe to say. She had been out with friends at the time. Her friends managed to get a taxi for an afterparty which left without her. She said she felt fine and clearly misjudged the situation and decided to drive to her home address. When police saw her, she panicked somewhat.

“The cannabis was for her own use, a small use. She’s not a regular user of cocaine; she purchased it that night.

“She didn’t react well in custody, and she did kick. At the time she kicked out, she was either in trainers or in socks and certainly the blows were not forceful. She was being held by her arms and she kicked out while on the floor. A police officer sustained an injury, and he didn’t keel over or anything like that, and he carried on with his work. There were no injuries to PC Price and certainly no lasting injuries to PC Reed despite the contact that had been made.”

Mr Inns added: “In terms of her cannabis use, she uses it most days and she is a regular user. The reason she uses cannabis is to cope with life. There are unresolved mental health issues.”

Probation officer Julian Davies said in a pre-sentence report read in court that Hughes regretted her behaviour.

“She says she then took the stupid decision to drive,” Mr Davies said. “She says she kicked off due to her hot-headed temper and reaction to being manhandled. She says she shouldn’t have behaved the way she did and regrets her actions.”

Magistrates disqualified Hughes, of Troed-y-Garth, Carno, for 17 months for drink driving and ordered to pay a £250 fine, £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

The 18-year-old must also complete a 12-month community order including 20 rehabilitation requirement days to address her emotions and mental health for the assaults on two police officers. Hughes was ordered to do 130 hours of unpaid work and pay £50 each to PC Reed and PC Price as compensation.

Hughes was fined £50 for having cocaine, but there were no separate penalties for the two cannabis offences.