Hell-raising grandmother, 53, who bared her breasts at one woman, groped another in a nightclub and exposed herself to police as she was arrested is jailed for 12 months 

A hell-raising grandmother who bared her breasts at one woman, groped another in a nightclub and exposed herself to police who arrested her during a one-woman crimewave was jailed for 12 months today.

Jacqueline Knott, 53, was branded ‘sexually disinhibited’ by a female judge after a court heard how she stripped off in public and made unwanted sexual advances whenever she got drunk.

On one occasion, Knott removed her top and showed her breasts while having a row with a friend in the street as the victim’s grandchildren looked on.  In a second incident she accosted a woman in nightclub and grabbed her bottom and genitals.

Police who arrested Knott had to stop her taking her clothes off as she flashed at them whilst in the back of a police van. One officer was kicked in the groin by Knott as he arrested her during another incident.

Knott – who is nicknamed ‘Knottweed’ by friends – later argued the incidents occurred when she was suffering from mental health issues. 

Jacqueline Knott, 53, was branded ‘sexually disinhibited’ by a female judge after a court heard how she stripped off in public and made unwanted sexual advances whenever she got drunk

Knott – who is nicknamed ‘Knottweed’ by friends – later argued the incidents occurred when she was suffering from mental health issues

But in a statement to police one former friend said: ‘I feel betrayed because Jacqueline is a long term friend of mine. 

‘Her behaviour has left me gutted because my grandchildren had to witness what she did. I believe no child should have to see the behaviour Jacqueline showed that day. I do not wish to see her again.’

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Knott, of Bardsley in Oldham was jailed for 12 months after she admitted sexual assault, outraging public decency, assault on an emergency worker, failing to provide a specimen of breath and drug possession.

Sentencing Judge Tina Landale told her: ‘You have to understand this whole series of offences is really appalling behaviour.

‘When you are drunk or using drugs, you quickly become out of control, causing nuisance, violence and upset and you are sexually disinhibited. Whenever police come to sort this out, they’re only doing their job but you attack them as well and put them at risk, That cannot be tolerated I’m afraid.’

The court heard the first incident occurred in November 13 2022 when Knott was visiting a female friend in Mossley.

Mr Peter Wilson prosecuting said: ‘A verbal altercation took place which culminated in the defendant leaving the house. She returned shortly afterwards but was refused entry and as a result became irate and aggressive.

‘She repeatedly ran at the front of door and kicked it and was swearing at her friend’s grandchildren who were inside the house, afraid for her own safety and that of the children the friend started stacking items behind the front door to barricade it shut and called police.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Knott, of Bardsley in Oldham was jailed for 12 months

‘But the defendant ran to the front of the window before exposing her breasts at the complainant and her grandchildren. 

As the children were being ushered upstairs, the defendant was heard shouting: ‘I don’t given a f..k about your children’ whilst continuing to expose her breasts.

When police arrived she rushed towards them aggressively and punched one of the PCs in the groin area, the court heard. 

The sex assault occurred on December 4 last year after the victim encountered Knott at the Empire club in Rochdale at 12.30am.

Mr Wilson added: ‘They were not known to each other but the victim said the defendant initially grabbed her by the bum. 

‘The defendant was highly intoxicated and initially the victim thought it was an accident. 

‘But as she was about to shake hands with her, the defendant grabbed her by the vagina and would not let go. The victim was shocked and left the venue with friends.’

The victim approached police outside the club to make a complaint. In a statement she said: ‘This incident made me feel small and disgusted. It was just how she had the confidence to do this to me openly in front of everyone, I felt very angry and I now want to hide myself away.

‘It’s put me off going out with friends as I feel scared and not safe from that woman. I now believe I can’t have a good time when I go out as I feel unsafe. I was having fun that night and what she did ruined it – not only for me but for my friends too.

‘I don’t go out very often now as I feel intimidated and small. God knows what would have happened if I had been on my own but thankfully my friends were there to support me. At the time I was scared and upset and wanted to run off home.’

Knott was ejected from the club and when police arrested she was found in possession of amphetamine and cannabis. She later freed but last July 5 was arrested again after she was suspected of driving a car whilst drunk.

The prosecutor went on: ‘She was transported to custody but she became disruptive and abusive to officers, flashing at them in the van. As they searched her she tried to pull away and remove her clothing and was taken to the floor. She then kicked one of the officers on the leg.’

On July 27 she was detained again on suspicion of drunk driving but she punched one PC in the chest and headbutted a female colleague. She kicked a third officer in the testicles as she was being booked in at a custody suite.

The court heard Knott had 32 offences on her record dating back to 1984 including assaults on police and being drunk and disorderly.

In mitigation defence counsel Mark Fireman said: ‘Whilst she has caused harm to others she herself is someone who has her own difficulties. Her behaviour has been exacerbated by her use of drink and drugs although she accepts she has caused distress. She is sorry for what she has done.’

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