CROCS AWAY WOMAN SENTENCED

A Froghill woman has been sentenced to three months' community service after admitting to assaulting a police officer.

Sharon Sims, aka ‘Mademoiselle LaLa’, of Tinker’s Lane, Swansdike, appeared at Froghill Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to the assault which occurred late last year.

The court heard that, on the evening of 21 November, Sims had been at the The Nut Tree, Froghill, where she was employed as an exotic dancer.

“She did a routine with Sonny and Cher, her two baby crocodiles,” said landlord Bill Blocker, from the witness box. “The act went down very well and everyone was buying her drinks afterwards. By closing time, she was very much the worse for wear.

“She kept coming up to the bar, shouting ‘Crocodile sandwich – and make it snappy!’ and then collapsing in giggles.”

At two o’ clock the following morning, Police Constable Kevin Pymple came across Sims wandering aimlessly around the town centre. She was unsteady on her feet, had a bottle of vodka in one hand and was singing Crocodile Rock in a loud voice.

When the constable tried to apprehend her, Sims became abusive. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out both crocodiles and lunged at him. One animal fastened onto the PC’s nose. The other sank its teeth into his helmet. Sims then shouted ‘Crocs Away!’ and stumbled off, leaving the constable with the reptiles attached to his person.

PC Pymple was taken by ambulance to the Crocodile Injuries Unit at Froghill General Hospital, where he underwent a four-hour emergency nose transplant.

Sonny and Cher were referred to the Wythering Animal Rehabilitation Trust (WART), where they are currently undergoing a course of obedience training.   

Presiding judge Neville Silliphant charged Sims with aggravated assault, two counts of being drunk in charge of a dangerous reptile and wilful destruction of police headgear.

Ms. Sims asked for 72 other cases to be taken into consideration.