A Carlisle woman has appeared in court accused of attempting to murder two police constables who were injured with a knife during an incident in Carlisle.
Hannah Smaile, 25, was charged after officers were called to an address at Lister Court, off Shady Grove Road, in the Raffles area of Carlisle, at around 9.30am yesterday, Wednesday May 28.
Police attended to speak with the occupant. A Cumbria force spokesman said two officers were alleged to have been assaulted with a knife. “A female officer suffered a facial injury described as not life threatening,” said the spokesman. “A male officer suffered a hand injury described as not life changing.”
Both were discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.
Smaile, 25, of Lister Court, Carlisle, faces three charges.
Two charges allege the attempted murder of two police officers (PC 3254 Matthew Johnstone and PC 3251 Heather Wilson) at Carlisle on May 28.
A third charge alleges that Smaile unlawfully and intentionally threatened the same two police constables with an offensive weapon or bladed article — namely a hunting knife — at a private address on Lister Court.
Smaile appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court this afternoon. From the dock, during a four-minute hearing, she spoke to confirm her name, date of birth and address.
No pleas were entered to the three charges.
Prosecutor Peter Bardsley provided a brief outline of an incident which occurred as police attended the property. “She has a knife and approaches one of the officers. She tries to stab her. That (blade) catches the end of her nose,” alleged Mr Bardsley.
A second officer had arrived and try and restrain Smaile who, said the prosecutor, “threatens” him.
Smaile was told the attempted murder charges were so serious that they would have to be dealt with at crown court.
She is due to appear at Carlisle Crown Court, for a plea and trial preparation hearing, on June 30.
No application for bail was made by defence solicitor Chris Toms, and Smaile was remanded in custody until the next court hearing.
Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, Cumberland BCU Commander, said today: “Our officers and staff work incredibly hard to keep people in Cumbria safe.
“Police officers, like everyone else in society, should be able to go to work without fear of being assaulted.
“Both officers received treatment yesterday and have since been discharged and will receive continued support from the constabulary following this incident.”
