'Naughty' 93-Year-Old Grandmother Was Arrested by Police at Her Request

Great-great-grandmother Josie Birds who wanted to know what it was like to be naughty has been arrested at her own request.

The 93-year-old, from North Manchester, requested to be arrested by police as she said she had been good for her entire life.

"Most people who have commented have sent their best wishes to her and think she's a brave lady."

REQUEST GRANTED

Her request was fulfilled recently with the help of a family friend. Two off-duty police officers went to her house to arrest her. According to Birds' granddaughter, Pam Smith:

"They accused her of robbing a Co-op, and her response was, 'I don't do my shopping in Co-op.' They put her in handcuffs and took her to the police station in the back of the van, where they 'questioned' her rigorously.

"She wanted to go into the cells too, but they drew the line at that and gave her tea and cake instead. She was lit up all day Sunday talking about it, and she is still excited about her experience."

THANKING THE OFFICERS

Smith also took to Twitter to share Birds' experience and thanked the police officers for arresting her grandmother. She wrote:

"A big thank you to [Greater Manchester Police] for 'arresting' my Gran Josie today. She is 93 years old, and her health is failing, and she wanted to be arrested for something before it's too late. She has a heart of gold and thoroughly enjoyed it today. Thank you for granting her wishes."

Greater Manchester Police replied to Smith on Twitter, saying:

"I'm glad our officers could help out, looks like she got the full experience! Give our best to Josie, and I'll try and pass your message back to the officers who kindly helped out."

"A WONDERFUL INSPIRATION"

Birds has six daughters, 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She worked at Avro Energy, where she met her husband, Alf.

When she retired, she worked at a local shop for quite a long time.

"Most people who have commented have sent their best wishes to her and think she's a brave lady. The family agree — she is brave, and she is a wonderful inspiration to everyone who knows her," said Smith.

"We are all so very grateful to Greater Manchester Police for being so agreeable to take part in this surprise for her. It really has made an old lady very happy."

This story is similar to what happened to a 69-year-old great grandmother named Hester Burkhalter. But unlike Birds' experience, Burkhalter was jailed for twelve hours against her will.

She was arrested in May at Disney World because she brought CBD oil (cannabidiol) that she reportedly used to treat her arthritis.