A WOMAN who kicked and spat in the face of two police officers has been sentenced.

Lauren Houghton, of Chestnut Crescent in Kendal, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to two counts of common assault of an emergency worker by beating on February 1 this year.

Lee Dacre, prosecuting the case at South Cumbria Magistrates Court on February 19, said Houghton was being arrested when she kicked PC Clinton to her groin.

Mr Dacre said the defendant was shouting obscenities towards the officer as she continued to resist arrest.

The court heard Houghton then spat in the face of PC Macaskill after backup had been called.

In police interview, the 33-year-old said she had no memory of the offences and that she was disgusted by her behaviour.

In mitigation, Andrew Gallagher said his client was ashamed and embarrassed to find herself before the court for the offences.

He said: “She had been to a funeral and had drunk far too much.

"February is a difficult month for her and the funeral has been the catalyst for acting out of character.”

The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions prior to these offences.

Magistrates described the incident as a ‘nasty, prolonged incident’ and consequently sentenced the defendant to a 12-month community order with requirements to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation to PC Macaskill and £50 in compensation to PC Clinton, as well as court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £114.