Rose Voon, a 40-year-old woman from Aberystwyth, was sentenced today at Swansea Crown Court to three months in prison for two charges of assaulting an emergency worker. The sentences will run concurrently, and due to the five months she has already spent on remand at Eastwood Park prison, she was ordered to be released immediately following the hearing.

The case revolved around an incident on April 1, when Voon, while in custody at a police station in Aberystwyth, became aggressive, swore, and spat at two police officers and a nurse.

The entire incident was captured on CCTV. Although no physical injuries were reported, one of the officers, PC Heron, expressed significant discomfort and concern over the potential health risks associated with being spat on.

Voon, who is diagnosed as having multiple personality disorder, had been at the police station following an earlier unrelated arrest. She had a stress-induced mental health episode during that arrest, leading to her actions.

During sentencing, His Honour Judge Huw Rees emphasised the complexity of Voon’s situation, citing her extensive history of mental health challenges.

Voon’s defence team urged the court to consider these factors, arguing that she required appropriate support upon her release.

They advocated for her placement in a secure environment where she could access the necessary treatment.

The court was informed that, two days before the hearing, an assessment had been conducted to identify suitable accommodation for Voon.

However, the court also heard that no placement was currently available, and it could take several months before one becomes accessible.

The probation service recommended a limited community order focused on rehabilitation activities, acknowledging the necessity for Voon to transition from her current residence to assisted living.

Judge Rees, however, noted the lack of a clear plan for effectively managing Voon’s needs within the community.

He expressed doubt that a community order with rehabilitation activities would be sufficient, given her complex mental health issues. Despite this, he recognised the immediate need for her release due to the time she had already served in custody.

Voon’s situation remains precarious; while she requires a secure environment, such as supported accommodation, but none is currently available to her.

In his closing remarks, Judge Rees described Voon as an “extremely vulnerable individual” who had suffered significantly due to circumstances beyond her control.

He expressed hope that upon her release, she would return to her accommodation in Aberystwyth and continue working with her community mental health team and social worker.

Voon offered apologies via her counsel to all parties involved in the incident, acknowledging her misconduct and expressing remorse. She was advised to personally apologise to the officers she had assaulted if the opportunity arose.

The judge concluded by warning Voon that repeated offences could lead to longer sentences in the future. He expressed his hope that she would cooperate with those trying to help her and make the necessary changes to avoid further legal trouble. A statutory surcharge was applied, payable within six months.

Voon is expected to return to Aberystwyth, where arrangements are being made to ensure she remains in a supportive and secure environment until better residential support can be provided—support that she urgently needs.

However, the case raises a critical question: why was a person with such complex mental health issues charged and jailed for a minor offence, rather than being provided with the support she so clearly needed? Her incarceration has led to a deterioration in her mental health, including her being seriously assaulted in prison.

When asked why she had pleaded guilty to the two charges of assaulting an emergency worker, Voon revealed that she didn’t even realise she had, raising concerns about her ability to follow the legal proceedings or understand why she was in jail in the first place.

The evidence presented in court indicated that she had no memory of the incident.