A woman who had been arrested after causing a disturbance outside her parent’s home assaulted a custody detention officer who asked her to take her clothes off.

Blackburn magistrates heard the request brought back memories of an incident when she was younger which had haunted Lauren O’Toole and had a long-term impact on her.

O’Toole, 33, of St Marys Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker. She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement and six months drug rehabilitation requirement and ordered to pay £75 compensation.

Harry Prescott, prosecuting, said police responded to a report of a female kicking aggressively at the door of her parents’ house. She was arrested and taken to Greenbank police station.

“She turned towards the victim raised her foot and kicked her on the chest,” said Mr Prescott.

“She attempted to restrain the defendant who raised her leg again and there was a tussle.

"The defendant took hold of the officer’s hair and pulled her over while trying to spit at her.”

Mr Prescott said the aggrieved screamed for assistance and eventually it needed four officers to detain O’Toole.

John Rusius, defending, said when she was a young woman O’Toole had been in the police station and had her clothing removed unlawfully.

“That has had a long-term impact on her and she has turned to drink and drugs to try and deal with her issues,” said Mr Rusius.

“Despite all her problems she does not appear before the courts.”

He said on this occasion his client had been at a low ebb and had gone to speak to her mother but her dad called the police.

“At the police station she was asked to take her clothes off and because of the previous incident that upset her,” said Mr Rusius.

“Two or three weeks after this incident she was back in hospital having taken an overdose.”