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Ex-lecturer Alexandra Crouzieres jailed after biting, spitting and punching hospital workers and police officers

A “highly intelligent” mother abused and assaulted hospital staff and police officers after getting drunk, a court heard.

Alexandra Crouzieres, who once lectured at Hadlow College, lost control when she went to Maidstone Hospital believing she had broken her arm.

After being told it was not fractured the 35-year-old mother racially abused a doctor, bit a nurse and assaulted three police officers, spitting at two of them.

Maidstone Hospital. Picture: Matthew Walker
Maidstone Hospital. Picture: Matthew Walker

A judge told Crouzieres, of Hatches Lane, East Peckham, as he jailed her for 18 months: “Hospital staff expect those who attack, injure them and insult them will be severely punished - and they are right to do so.

“It is not out of a sense of retribution but because those who are in public service expect to be protected.”

Crouzieres had in August last year been jailed for 16 months for dangerous driving having crashed her car while more than three times the legal alcohol limit.

Prosecutor Alex Rooke said Crouzieres went to the hospital on July 11 this year and an X-Ray confirmed her arm was not fractured.

She then started abusing Dr Wamda Elhag, calling her a Muslim and black African who knew nothing.

The doctor left the room but Crouzieres followed her down the corridor, grabbed her and spun her around.

Security guard Maurice Dray intervened and was punched on the nose by Crouzieres, making it bleed. Nurse Amy Langley stepped in and was bitten by Crouzieres.

She then sat in a wheelchair and mimicked an African accent. PC Rachel King approached and was kicked in the hip and stomach.

Judge Jeremy Carey
Judge Jeremy Carey

She used foul language and when put in a police van she spat in PC King’s face.

Another officer, PC Gabriel Chandler, went to his colleague's assistance and was racially abused.

Crouzieres was carried from the van cursing and struggling at the police station before being put into a cell.

There, she spat in Sgt James Beautridge’s face and started chewing the plaster cast on her wrist.

She asked for a cup of water and threw it at PC Tony Nolan, Mr Rooke told Maidstone Crown Court.

Outlining previous convictions, he added: “She has had her warning shots and is continuing in her behaviour. The bite is an unpleasant injury.”

Crouzieres admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, racially aggravated assault, racially aggravated harassment, three offences of assault by beating and assault with intent to resist arrest.

Judge Jeremy Carey said Crouzieres had reacted violently, abusively and “quite appallingly”.

“I’m sure in the cold light of day you recognise that,” he told her.

“You have considerable insight into the effect of your appalling behaviour on those who had to put up with it and suffer at your hands.

White Lodge care home was rated 'good' in all categories last October
White Lodge care home was rated 'good' in all categories last October

“It is tantalisingly frustrating that here is a member of the public who could make such a useful contribution as a worker and mother who is clearly highly intelligent when sober and yet in drink behaves as badly as any person who comes before this court.”

Hospital staff were just doing their duty, he said, when Crouzieres abused and assaulted them.

“It is a very ugly picture and one you should be ashamed of,” the judge continued.

“I will reduce the sentence that would otherwise be imposed because you have been in custody on recall for previous offences and breach of licence.”

Crouzieres will serve half the sentence and be on licence for a further three months.

“Given your prolific offending over the past few years that is something you should bear in mind,” the judge added.

Tom Stern, defending, said the mother-of-two was the “master of her own fate”, adding: “She doesn’t seek to justify her actions in any shape or form.”

Crouzieres had reflected on her behaviour and was working towards correcting it.

“Drink is a long and difficult journey,” he continued. “She is dealing with it.”

“Drink is a long and difficult journey. She is dealing with it” - Tom Stern, defending

Crouzieres gained a 2nd class honours degree at the University of Essex and went on to lecture at Hadlow College. She also achieved a masters degree in sport science.

She worked as an NVQ assessor for an organisation covering the south east until she was made redundant in 2011.

“It seems any underlying weakness she had in drink took its grasp,” said Mr Stern.

“This is a significant fall from grace.

“Her husband is caring for the children. Being self-employed, it is proving challenging for him.”

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