A GAS addict who has sniffed so much butane she has brain damage spat at a female custody detention officer as she and police officers were attempting to strip her in a police station cell.

Blackburn magistrates heard as a result of that offence Rebecca Stevenson had been recalled on prison licence for two offences of assaulting emergency workers sentenced.

The court was told Stevenson had 16 previous convictions for assaulting emergency workers.

Stevenson, 23, of Cross Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Lower Barnes Street, Clayton-le-Moors, and assaulting an emergency worker.

She was jailed for 12 weeks after the court was told she would be in prison until January 30 as a result of her recall.

Faizaan Zaman, for the probation service, said the defendant's offender manager believed that as a result of her butane abuse Stevenson had suffered some brain injury.

The offender manager believed she behaved like a 12 or 13-year-old and had difficulty concentrating for any period of time.

"The offender manager can only recommend a further period of custody," said Mr Zaman.

Tess Kenyon, prosecuting, said police received reports of a female causing a disturbance.

They spoke to Stevenson and took her home but two hours later she was back on the street causing a further disturbance and after being given one more chance was eventually arrested.

At the police station she was banging her head on the custody desk and because of concerns she may harm herself the decision was made to remove her clothing.

"The custody detention officer was assisting in that when the defendant spat at her three times," said Miss Kenyon.

Peter King, defending, said the offender manager expressed concerns about his client's cognitive abilities and said she appeared to have the capacity of a 12 or 13-year-old.

"That comes about as a result of months and months, if not years, of misuse of butane," said Mr King.

He said when decision was made to remove her clothing the defendant did not co-operate.

"The police and civilian staff had to get physical with her to force her into a position of compliance and she was hurting," said Mr King.

"She spat deliberately but not towards the victim's face."