POLICE responded to reports of a woman wearing only knickers running around the street banging on doors and shouting at people while drinking alcohol and inhaling butane gas.

Blackburn magistrates heard Rebecca Stevenson, who had only been released from prison that morning, spat at a police station detention officer following her arrest for being drunk and disorderly.

Stevenson, 23, of Cross Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and assault of an emergency worker. She was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Deputy District Judge Arlegh Davies said she was prepared to adjourn the case after being told Stevenson had an appointment for a mental health assessment the following day.

"These are serious matters and I think it is important we have that assessment before sentencing," she said.

Janice Vallance, prosecuting, said police first attended at 7.40pm and managed to persuade Stevenson to return to the sheltered accommodation in which she lives.

"They were called back following further reports of an intoxicated woman urinating in the street," said Miss Vallance.

Following her arrest Stevenson was being searched when she spat at the custody detention officer.

"She has numerous previous convictions for assaults on emergency workers and had only been released from prison, after serving a sentence for similar offences, on the day of the latest incidents," she added.

Peter King, defending, said after being released from Styal prison his client had attended an appointment with the probation service and a meeting at Inspire, the drink and drug agency.

"After that she started drinking and inhaling butane gas and she has little recollection of what followed," said Mr King. "She fully accepts the accounts given by the officers."