A WOMAN who was refusing to accept help from paramedics spat at police officers who came to their assistance.

Blackburn magistrates heard at the time Stephanie Masterson should have been self-isolating because she had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid.

And the officers had to take time off work because of the risk of contracting the disease.

Masterson, 33, of Bacup Road, Waterfoot, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker. She was bailed until June 22 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Malcolm Isherwood, prosecuting, said paramedics were trying to treat Masterson. “She was refusing to accept their help and they decided she wasn’t in a fit state to refuse and called the police,” said Mr Isherwood.

“The police placed her in the back of the ambulance but as they did that she spat at them.

“It turned out she should have been self-isolating and the officers had to take some time off work and be tested before they could return.”

Mr Isherwood said the defendant had a conviction for two assaults on emergency workers in October 2020.