A DRIVER bit and kicked four police officers and refused to specimen for analysis, a court was told.

Shelly Anne Couldwell initially pleaded not guilty to the assault charges when she appeared in the dock at Burney Crown Court.

However she was given more time to consider her plea after Judge Philip Parry asked her barrister Matthew Haworth asked if his client had been advised on credit for a prompt guilty plea as that could be the difference between her going to prison over receiving a non-custodial sentence.

When asked what his client's version of events were, Mr Haworth said: "She was walking away from officers at the time. She wasn't being aggressive or violent."

Judge Parry said: "All four officers are lying about being kicked and bitten by your client?"

Couldwell, 47, , of Warwick Street, Church, returned to the dock where she pleaded guilty to four charges of assaulting an emergency worker and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

The officers attacked were; PC Laura Jayne Hyland, PC Mohammed Iqbal Khan, PC Kasim Garda and PC Samuel Michael Stinchon.

The court heard all the offences took place on July 8.

Mr Haworth said: "In light of this case there is an application for a pre-sentence report. She has no previous convictions. She is the carer for two young children. There are some mental health issues she may have."

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report. Couldwell was given bail and told she will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on October 18. She was given an interim driving ban.

Judge Parry said: "It seems to me something has gone drastically wrong here with this 47-year-old woman that needs to be explored."