Woman 'at odds with society' is spared jail

A JUDGE urged a violent offender with a history of spitting in people’s faces and attacking police officers to take control of her life as she appeared in court for the 15th time.

- By NAOMI CORRIGAN

Florence Coogan has numerous violent offences on her record. In September 2022, she threatened police officers with a smashed glass bottle, then kicked one as she was being detained.

In November last year, she spat in the face of a pub worker after being asked to leave then assaulted three emergency services workers, including two further spitting offences.

At her latest court appearance on Tuesday, she was spared an immediate jail term after admitting blackmailing an ex and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Teesside Crown Court heard Coogan was seen shouting in her former partner's face on March 21 this year, demanding he give her £20.

Saba Shan, prosecuting, told the court: “He has refused to give her the money and the defendant has then said ‘I’m going to ring the police and tell them that you called for sex.”