Woman found kneeling in the middle of the road ended up kicking a police officer

Blackburn magistrates heard Stephanie Louise Boyle had been drinking with a friend who had suffered a bereavement and because she had not drunk alcohol for a long time it had gone straight to her head.

Boyle, 44, of Spencer Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Thomas Archer and being drunk and disorderly in Ford Street, Burnley. She was made subject to a community order for six months with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £60 and ordered to pay £40 compensation, £85 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said police dealing with another incident saw a woman kneeling in the middle of the street. When she was approached she became abusive.

"The officers tried to help her but she continued shouting abuse and when she was arrested kicked out and caught the officer on the leg several times," said Miss Allan.

Gareth Price, defending, said after a long period of abstinence the drink she took with a bereaved friend went to her head very quickly.

"She should have taken the advice of the police officer and moved on," said Mr Price. "The first thing she said to me this morning is that she is too old for this kind of behaviour."