In a bizzare confrontation, a woman self-isolating, and illegally occupying, a remote holiday cottage sprayed a letting agent and a policeman with a fire extinguisher.

Mignonette Goodchild was occupying the rental property, managed by Coastal Properties, without the owner’s consent.

When a representative of the firm arrived with three police officers to tell her to leave, Goodchild erupted into violence.

Swansea Crown Court heard Goodchild apparently moved into the empty property on Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire at the beginning of April.

Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said it was not known how she got in but there was “no sign of forced entry”.

On 3rd April the Coastal Properties agent arrived at the cottage with three Dyfed-Powys Police officers.

Goodchild could be seen inside the property holding a saucepan lid.

The court was told the officers identified themselves and the agent then let herself into the cottage using a key but was soon driven back by Goodchild who sprayed a fire extinguisher in her face.

The police then entered the cottage and one of the officers was also sprayed.

The “physically and verbally aggressive” defendant then punched a Police Officer in the face.

It was reported that she could be heard shouting “You are in danger” and “Talk to Simon from Spittal”.

Goodchild was arrested and taken to Haverfordwest police station, questioned, and released on bail. When she failed to answer bail she was arrested and remanded into custody.

She pleaded guilty to battery and to assaulting an emergency worker.

Robin Rouch, for Goodchild, said the defendant had been homeless at the time of the incident and “was looking for somewhere to self-isolate because of concerns about coronavirus”.

Judge Paul Thomas QC told Goodchild: “It was a disgraceful scene where you completely lost your temper and, I am afraid to say, your dignity.”

She was jailed for a total of 16 weeks.