Worcester woman cleared of being drunk and disorderly, still faces trial for assaulting police officer

Rowena Thorneycroft was eventually allowed into Worcester Magistrates Court where she was cleared of the offence.

It was alleged she was drunk and disorderly in Barbourne Road, Worcester, on March 25 this year.

Adam Mieczerzak, prosecuting, showed bodyworn footage from officer Allan Figueiredo in which the officer had spoken to Thorneycroft before arresting her.

CLEARED: Rowena Thorneycroft was cleared of drunk and disorderly at a trial. Picture: James Connell

PC Figueiredo took the witness box and told the magistrates he saw Thorneycroft trying to cross the road "completely oblivious" to oncoming traffic.

“She didn’t comprehend what was going on around her,” PC Figueiredo said.

“Cars had to swerve for her.”

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Sarj Lalli, defending the 54-year-old, asked the officer why he had not looked into her claim that someone had threatened her with a knife.

The officer replied he asked her to point the offenders out but said he was focused on her behaviour which was being witnessed by members of the public.

DRINKING: Rowena Thorneycroft was seen drinking outside Worcester Magistrates Court before her trial

Thorneycroft, who was watched throughout the trial by a security guard who had seen her drinking outside, then gave evidence telling magistrates: “As I was crossing the road someone said they wanted to cut my throat.

“It was a stressful situation.

“I had had a drink, but I wasn’t drunk. I did not behaviour disorderly at that moment.”

Thorneycroft also said she was an alcoholic and was getting help from alcohol recovery service Cranstoun, who had warned her she could die if she tried to stop drinking completely.

Magistrates announced they found Thorneycroft not guilty after deliberating for 20 minutes.

Rowena Thorneycroft faces a trial for assault

Chairman of the magistrates bench Martin Soble said: “In our opinion, it is very clear you were drunk.

“But disorderly, we do not find that has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Before the trial Thorneycroft, of Barbourne Road, had been in courtroom one as she faced another charge of assaulting an emergency worker (PC Williams) on March 18 this year.

But that trial had to be adjourned as the officer, who was set to give evidence, had Covid and could not attend.

Magistrates told Thorneycroft to return to the court for her trial on September 19.