A HYSTERICAL mother of four attacked a police officer and had to be forcibly put in a cell after she was arrested on a night out, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how apparently drunk Tracy Grimshaw, 35, kicked out and was struggling violently, screaming and shouting as she was placed in the back of a police van. One officer suffered a painful lower back injury and a small cut after the late-night melee.

Grimshaw, of Bevington Close, Burnley, admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and assaulting a police constable and was conditionally discharged for 12 months. She must pay £75 compensation and £55 costs.

John Wood, prosecuting, said police were called and saw the defendant shouting at another group in the street. She was being held back by a man and officers approached to see what was going on. Both Grimshaw and the man appeared the worse for drink. Grimshaw was still trying to pull away, continued to shout and was told she would be arrested for a public order offence.

Mr Wood said the defendant carried on shouting and swearing, was abusive to the police and hysterical. She struggled violently when taken hold of and as she was put in the back of the police van, she was screaming and kicking out.

Grimshaw kicked an officer in the arm, tried again, but missed. On arrival at the police station, attempts were made to book Grimshaw in, but she was still being abusive and because of her behaviour she was taken straight to a cell. She had to be forcibly placed in it and continued to kick out and struggle.

Graeme Tindall, defending, said Grimshaw could remember little about the incident. She had been feeling down and had gone out with her boyfriend, intending to drown her sorrows.

Grimshaw had a disagreement and her boyfriend was trying to take her away and calm her down when the police arrived.

The defendant realised that sort of behaviour, not least her language, was totally unacceptable, but it was out of character for her. She had become upset at the situation she found herself in.