A police officer found himself bitten after he and other officers stepped in to prevent a woman from repeatedly hitting herself in the face.

Teegan Nightingale, who is 20 years old, had consumed cannabis and was under its influence when the incident unfolded on Edward Street in Pengam, Blackwood.

The officer alongside his colleagues attended the address on Thursday, February 12 after receiving a call from a member of the public who had raised concerns.

Jac Brown, representing the Crown prosecution, explained that the defendant was suffering from agitation and unpredictability and had made threats to cause herself injury.

She then began striking her own face with her hands.

When officers stopped her from continuing to harm herself and commenced moving her toward a police vehicle, Nightingale clamped her mouth onto the officer’s leg and attempted to bite him.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that no actual physical injury was caused to the officer.

The defendant, whose address is Carlyle Street, Abertillery, admitted guilt to assaulting a police officer.

This conviction represented a breach of an earlier suspended prison sentence.

In May the preceding year, she had received an 18-month prison term that was suspended for 18 months at a young offender institution after pleading guilty to reckless arson that could have endangered lives.

That case related to events on September 1, 2024 on Upper Salisbury Street in Tredegar.

At that time, she was required to complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity order.

She also has previous convictions for assaulting police officers.

In her defence mitigation for the February offence, her barrister Jeffrey Jones said she fully comprehended that her actions were wrong.

She feels remorse for what occurred and is concerned about the officer involved.

He added that the defendant is vulnerable and has not yet turned 21.

The court was informed that Nightingale experienced a difficult childhood.

The presiding judge, Recorder Greg Bull KC, spoke directly to her, saying she must not take out her difficulties on police officers who are merely carrying out their work.

He warned her that she must change her conduct or she would be sent to Eastwood Park Prison.

For breaching the suspended sentence, Recorder Bull imposed an additional five-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

For the assault on the police officer, he sentenced her to an 18-month community order comprising 25 mandatory sessions on an approved programme and a £100 financial penalty.