A “scary” woman who bit a police officer and attacked a social worker at a Catford children’s centre has been found guilty of three assaults.

Evezi Erijoh, 53, of Omanton Road in Sydenham, entered the reception at the Kaleidoscope children’s centre on September 19 and confronted social worker Norma Macintosh.

Bromley Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday, February 21, that Erijoh attacked Ms Macintosh, knocking the social worker to the ground, tearing her dress and scratching her neck and face.

The attack was broken up and police attended the scene.

Erijoh was holding an umbrella with a spike on the end when officers arrived.

The two police officers asked Erijoh to drop the umbrella and when she didn’t, they took it from her.

PC Kerry Lynham said Erijoh attacked her after she had taken the umbrella.

She said: “As soon as I took the umbrella, she has straight away gone for me. Her hand came up towards my face.

“I was really taken aback by how strong she was.”

PC Victoria Powell assisted PC Lynham in attempting to restrain Erijoh, but in the process Erijoh bit PC Powell on the hand and dug her nails into PC Lynham’s wrist.

Both the bite and the nails left scars on the two police officers.

Ms Macintosh said the experience has meant she’s afraid to go out alone. She said: “It has been really difficult to go into the reception area at work. I have had to have someone accompany me.

“I am unable to go into the Catford area in case I see her around because she is so scary. I am not able to meet with parents like I always do.”

In her defence, Erijoh claimed Ms Macintosh had attacked her first, and that she was “praying to God and to Jesus to come and intervene” when being restrained by the police.

Erijoh was found guilty of all three counts of assault.

She was not sentenced as magistrates said they needed to see a mental health assessment.

Erijoh will appear at Bexley Magistrates’ Court on March 14.