A Bolton woman declined to tell police where a man wanted for assault was and said, “I am not a grass, I am not about that life.”

Officers were investigating an assault which took place on February 7 on Halliwell Road.

Bolton Crown Court heard 13 days later they attended the home of Nicola Short as the suspect was known to visit her there.

When nobody answered, they forced their way in and left a note requesting that she call the police.

She did this and an officer returned.

Short was asked if she had seen the man as he was wanted.

Sophie Kenny, prosecuting, said: “She said she had seen him but would not say when or where.

“When asked why she said, ‘I am not a grass I am not about that life'.

“She was told police would return until the man was found. She replied, ‘well he won’t be here then will he?’”

The next day police returned but were unable to get into the property.

They rang Short, of Drayton Close, Bolton, and heard her mobile ringing.

When they gained access to the property Short and the wanted man were found.

Short, 46, was first charged with assisting an offender but later pleaded guilty to obstructing police and this was accepted by prosecutors.

She appeared in court to be sentenced.

The court heard she was working to tackle a long-standing drug issue residing at a facility in Coventry.

Hannah Forsyth, defending, said: “There is a glowing reference from them.”

But she said she would be unable to pay a fine as she received only £340 in benefits a fortnight and spent half of this to secure her place at the facility.

Judge Tom Gilbart said: “You know what you were doing was impeding the police.

“The result of what you did was thankfully limited.

“It is in your best interest and those of society for you to continue the work you are doing to in order to address your drug addiction.”

He imposed a community order to run for six months with the requirement that she remains at the facility in Coventry for this time period.