A 25-year-old Fijian soldier serving in the British Army has been sentenced for assaulting four police officers and a security guard in Wood St, Swindon.
According to a report on wiltshire999s.co.uk, Elizabeth Vesikula pleaded guilty to five counts of assault on October 19 at the Salisbury Magistrate’s Court in England.
It is understood Vesikula had beaten four emergency workers and was arrested on the suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.
Prosecutor Kerry Richardson said Vesikula was screaming and shouting on Wood Street after being refused entry to a pub.
“Police officers were beckoned over to the incident as Vesikula fell over and was lying on the road,” the report said.
Vesikula was also reported to have forcibly grabbed the genitals of a police officer which left him fearing the worst.
The officer wrote in his victim statement, which was read out in court, that he was yet to start a family and there was a possibility that it would not happen after the incident. Vesikula also spat on security guard Emma Anderson and police constables Terrett and Pugh.
“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.”
Defence lawyer Paul Jones told the court Vesikula “drank a significant amount” after learning her mother, whom she hasn’t seen since 2016, was suffering from a life-threatening illness.
He said the accused “apologises unreservedly to the officers” and that she has “no recollection of the events of that night”.
Mr Jones said she would “get a double whammy,” meaning that the British Army would also have to serve a separate punishment.
He also said Vesikula had already lost a promotion that came with an £8000 ($F19,355) annual wage increase, and she could lose her job.
A 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid labour and 25 days of rehabilitation activities was given to Vesikula of Battalion Delhli Barracks in Tidworth.
She is also required to reimburse Ms Anderson, PC Dean, PC Terrett, and PC Pugh each with £100 ($F241) apart from PC Wilmott.
