A drunk woman who assaulted a paramedic as she was being taken to hospital has appeared in court.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how the emergency worker was so concerned by the behaviour of Suzanne Pollard she asked her colleague to take over in the rear of the ambulance.

The court was told when they arrived at Royal Blackburn Hospital a security guard who intervened was subjected to racial abuse.

Pollard, 41, of Holmsley Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and the security officer and, on a separate occasion, using racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

She was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay compensation to her victims; £200 to the paramedic and £100 to the security officer.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said paramedics were called to the defendant's home and were immediately met with abuse and foul language from Pollard.

In the ambulance she was kicking and screaming at the paramedic.

"She was shocked and quite upset and asked her colleague to pull over because she felt threatened by the defendant who was trying to get off the stretcher," said Mr Parker.

Pollard continued her behaviour at the hospital and when the security officer tried to intervene he was kicked in the face.

The separate incident also happened after Pollard had been at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

She had been shouting and swearing at staff and members of the public but then appeared to calm down and left.

"Police who had been called were driving away from the hospital when they saw her standing in the road shouting and swearing at motorists.

"She refused to move on and was eventually arrested," Mr Parker added.

Aftab Bakhat, in mitigation, said his client was thoroughly ashamed of her actions and genuinely remorseful.

"Since these incidents she has re-engaged with Inspire and has been abstinent for some time," said Mr Bakhat.

In court on Thursday, January 26, District Judge Alex Boyd told Pollard she was right to be disgusted with herself when she heard details of what she had done.

"These people don't deserve to be treated in this manner," he said.