A former social worker from Birmingham has been sentenced after assaulting her neighbour with a metal pole and attacking police officers during the subsequent arrest, a court heard. Sarah McCann, aged 60, caused damage to her neighbour’s front door and then assaulted him with a metal pole on 27 April 2025. The incident was heard at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 3 September.
Prosecutor Savithru Wijeratne detailed how McCann went to her neighbour’s address armed with the pole, damaged the door, and inflicted injuries including minor cuts to his left arm and knee. The injuries were described as actual bodily harm.
Police were called to the scene, where McCann resisted arrest by kicking one officer in the groin and bending back the fingers of another. She was subsequently charged and found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and assault causing actual bodily harm.
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Defending solicitor Ms Ali asked the court to consider the circumstances surrounding the incident, explaining that there were several underlying issues contributing to McCann’s behaviour. It was also noted that McCann herself had sustained severe bruising to her face and body during the altercation. The defence highlighted that McCann was unlikely to reoffend and emphasised her previous career as a social worker.
District Judge Smith acknowledged McCann had pleaded guilty to three offences and was convicted of two others at trial. The judge described the offences as serious and imposed a 36-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, covering five offences: possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, assault causing actual bodily harm, criminal damage to property under £5,000, and two counts of assault by beating of emergency workers.
Additionally, McCann was required to complete 30 days of rehabilitation and ordered to pay £30 compensation to each officer involved. An 18-month restraining order was also upheld, preventing McCann from contacting the neighbour involved.
Sarah McCann resides on Billingsley Road in Birmingham.