A WOMAN who smashed a Sports Direct-type mug against a man’s head before trying to head-butt a police officer who was arresting her has been spared jail.

Charlene Derbyshire, of Abbey Road, Banbury, had already admitted one count of wounding and another assault by beating.

Oxford Crown Court heard at her sentencing on Tuesday how the 30-year old had been drinking with two men at a house in Banbury on the night of August 13.

While there, Derbyshire got into a row with one of them – named in court as Mr Taylor, about her children.

The court heard that the woman ‘saw red’ at one of his comments and went on to strike Mr Taylor in the head with the large-sized mug, causing lacerations.

The victim then fled before a neighbour called police and Derbyshire was arrested. While at the police station, the court heard, she became even more violent and first kicked a police officer before trying to head-butt her.

Because of the deft movement of the officer the full blow was not landed, prosecutors said.

In mitigation, Gordana Austin said that her client had been ‘mocked’ by the victim Mr Taylor about her children and accepted that Derbyshire had lashed out.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: “[The victim] made some unpleasant remarks about your circumstances and you clearly saw red.

“In addition to that wounding you were taken to the police station probably still affected by drink and you kicked out to an officer who arrested you and you tried to head-butt that officer.

“Your behaviour that day was utterly appalling.”

She was given 12 months for the wounding and two months for the assault on the police officer, both to run consecutively and to be suspended for two years.

Derbyshire was also made subject to a community order to include 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement and must pay a victim surcharge.