MICHELLE Cruise kneed a police officer in the groin as he was arresting her for possessing a 12-inch bed leg with a screw protruding from the end.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when she was taken to the police station Cruise stripped naked in the custody office and refused to put her clothes back on.

Cruise, 34, of Stonyhurst Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and assaulting a police officer.

She was remanded on bail until March 11 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said police saw Cruise crossing Redlam late at night approaching a taxi.

They noticed that she was trying to conceal something up the sleeve of her jacket and approached her.

Cruise initially denied having anything up her sleeve, but when she was searched the weapon was found.

She then said: "If anyone starts with me, I'll hit them."

She became aggressive towards the officers and was handcuffed.

Cruise struggled as she was being led to a police vehicle and then kneed the officer in the groin.

"This caused him considerable distress," said Mr Hartley.

Roger Pickles, defending, said his client accepted that she had assaulted the officer.

He said she blamed her behaviour on a combination of drink and medication.

"In the police station she did behave in a bizarre way, but she eventually apologised and made full and frank admissions," he added.