A DRUNKEN young mum who repeatedly spat at a hospital security guard and sank her teeth into a police officer is behind bars awaiting sentence.

Burnley magistrates heard how Charlene Newton, 19, and her boyfriend had gone to Burnley General Hospital's casualty department after a row. The defendant was offensive to the Irish guard and when police were called she let loose a "torrent of abuse".

Newton, said to possibly be suffering mental health problems, admitted racially aggravated common assault and assaulting a police officer.

The defendant, of Woodbine Road, Burnley, was remanded in custody until March 24.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court the guard, Colin Gilbert, spoke to the defendant and her partner about their "obscenely abusive" behaviour. Newton swore, called the guard an Irish tramp and said he should go back to his caravan. She then spat at him three times.

A porter was called and he was also subjected to abuse. Police arrived and the defendant told one officer he was ugly and bit him.

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said Newton had a one-year-old child who was looked after by her grandparents. She had been a victim of physical abuse as a child. She would react violently when confronted.