BLINDED police officer David Rathband is held in such high public esteem that Kelsey Donkin is now a hate figure.

Donkin is the very stupid woman who went up to PC Rathband and said “bang, bang” while making a gun gesture behind his back.

Initially, she denied the public order offence but changed her plea and now faces a prison sentence.

PC Rathband, who was shot by Raoul Moat, says he has been caused great distress by Donkin’s actions. He was made to feel sick at the thought of someone making fun of what had happened to him.

What Donkin did was heartless – a moment of madness which will stay with her for the rest of her life.

But is there really any point in jailing her? Wherever she goes for years to come, she will be reminded of the shame of her callous comment to a man widely regarded as a hero.

That is punishment enough.

Long way to go

WELL done to Andy Murray for reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

He is looking stronger as the tournament progresses and hopes are rising that maybe, just maybe, he will give Britain its first Wimbledon men’s champion since Fred Perry in 1936.

But we have been here before and some of the best players in history still stand in Murray’s way.

Let’s all take a deep breath and remember the hardest part is yet to come.