A FORMER pharmacist was arrested on a motorway bridge where she had gone to throw herself off.

Blackburn magistrates heard details of a string of offences committed by Suzanne Pollard whose mental health was said to have deteriorated rapidly.

Pollard, 39, of Holmsley Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath in May, assaulting an ambulance technician and a police officer in August and being drunk and disorderly in September.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 30 days' rehabilitation and an alcohol treatment requirement for nine months. She was ordered to pay £200 to the paramedic and £50 to the police officer, £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge. She was banned from driving for two years.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said police were called to a motorway bridge following a report that a woman was threatening to jump. They found Pollard sitting in her car and when they spoke to her she behaved erratically.

"She told an officer she loved him and then started headbutting his arm and the seat," said Mrs Mann.

"She was breathalysed at the police station but failed to provide an evidential sample. She made three attempts and the reading on each occasion was over 100 compared to the limit of 35."

In August Pollard was being dealt with by an emergency medical technician but was again in a volatile state, swearing and lashing out.

"She didn't make contact with the paramedic but she was put in fear of being assaulted," said Mrs Mann. "She did make contact with the police officer."

Mrs Mann said there was more bizarre behaviour when Pollard was arrested for being drunk and disorderly in Trafalgar Street, Burnley.

"She was clearly drunk and saying things like she didn't care because Lucifer would get her that night," said Mrs Mann.

Richard Prew, defending, said it was a "very, very sad" case. He said a pre-sentence report, which had been read by the magistrates, laid bare the issues his client had in the recent past.

"Her mental health has deteriorated quite quickly and she has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

"She has no previous convictions and was a model citizen, working for many years as a pharmacist, and things have deteriorated quite significantly," said Mr Prew.

"She had driven to the bridge to throw herself off and only the intervention of passers-by saved her from that."

He said the string of offences had provided a wake-up call for his client.

"She has not had a drink for three weeks, she is engaging with Inspire and hopes to get a rehabilitation place before Christmas," said Mr Prew.

"It is hoped that with the help of the probation service she can remain alcohol-free, go to rehab and come out and return to the life she previously had."