WOMAN PERFORMS SEX ACT IN FRONT OF HORRIFIED KIDS ON SCHOOL RUN, ESCAPES JAIL WITH SUSPENDED SENTENCE
A woman caught performing a sex act with another woman in a shop doorway in front of horrified children has dodged jail.Sarah Crawford engaged in a "sex act" with Rosalind Fitzgerald while heavily intoxicated near a store on York Road, in Birtley.
She had been at an all-night party in the hours leading up to the offence, reports say.
A court heard how children and other members of the public were in the area when the pair took part in the act at 8.45am.
Crawford was again in trouble with the police in June following an outburst in Durham city centre, according to Chronicle Live.
The 40-year-old assaulted a police officer after throwing items of shop stock in the street.
When she was taken to a police cell, she defecated inside it, causing damage.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court previously heard that on December 11 last year, police received reports that Crawford and Fitzgerald were "engaging in sexual activity" in Birtley.
Chike Anieto, prosecuting, said: "Children were present in the area.
A witness says it was the other party and the defendant performing a sex act." "The defendant then proceeded to urinate.
Following this incident police attended and arrested the defendant.
There were extensive calls to police by other members of the public about what was going on in the area." At a hearing in May, Fitzgerald was given a 12-month community order and fined £120 for her involvement in the bizarre incident.
In July, the court was told Crawford had four previous convictions for four offences.
Andrew O'Hanlon, defending, said she was "ashamed and embarrassed" at her behaviour.
He said: "She understands what she's done.
She's embarrassed and sorry." Regarding the June offences, Mr O'Hanlon said they were preceded by a "breakdown".
He added: "She had previously taken an overdose and had taken some stimulants.
Her behaviour in the police station is regrettable, she fully understands what she's done - she needs help." On Friday, Crawford, of no fixed address, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for outraging public decency, a public order offence, criminal damage, and assaulting a police officer.
She had pleaded guilty to the offences.
She was sentenced to four months prison, suspended for 12 months.
She was also given 25 rehabilitation activity days, which must be completed in six months.
She was also fined and ordered to pay compensation.
Crawford previously told magistrates that she no longer wants to drink alcohol, saying: "I no longer want that life anymore".
She was said to be "embarrassed and sorry" for her offending.
