A soldier has been sentenced after assaulting four police officers and a security guard.
Elizabeth Vesikula pleaded guilty to five counts of assault by beating – four of which were on emergency workers – at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on 19 October.
Prosecutor Kerry Richardson said that the 25-year-old defendant was screaming and shouting in Wood Street, Swindon, after being refused entry to The Bank pub.
Police officers were beckoned over to the incident as Vesikula fell over and was lying in the road. She was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.
PC Dean’s private parts were forcibly grabbed by the woman, which left him fearing the worst. Following the attack, he contacted his wife to inform her.
“I am yet to start a family and there is a real possibility that might not now happen”, the officer wrote in a victim person statement read out in court.
During the incident, security guard Emma Anderson, PC Terrett and PC Pugh were spat at by Vesikula; the spittle landed in the mouth of Ms Anderson and on the lip of PC Pugh. PC Wilmott was also hit by spittle, but not targeted directly.
Paul Jones, defending, said his client has moved to England from Fiji for “opportunities here that are not available in her natural homeland”, sending £400 a month home to support her family.
He said the Vesikula, who “drank a significant amount” after being informed about her mother – who she has not seen since 2016 – suffering from a life-threatening illness.
Mr Jones added that the defendant has “no recollection of the events of that night” and said she “she apologises unreservedly to the officers”.
He said she would “get a double whammy” – with a separate punishment also to be served by the British Army. She could lose her job and has already lost a promotion which came with a £8,000 an annum pay rise.
Vesikula, of Battalion Delhli Barracks in Tidworth, was handed a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity days.
She must also pay Ms Anderson, PC Dean, PC Terrett and PC Pugh £100 in compensation each. However, PC Wilmott was not awarded compensation because the assault was “accidental”.
