A MENTALLY ill woman walked into Leigh Library and tried to hurl herself from the stairs, a court heard.

When Louise Roberts was arrested she was aggressive and struggled so violently she broke the handcuffs, Bolton Crown Court was told.

She also bit a policewoman, drawing blood, and told her she had hepatitis C. Only now, several months later, has the officer received the medical all clear.

Roberts, aged 21, of Whistle Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan, previously admitted unlawful wounding and two charges of assault at the Crown Court.

Prosecutor Maisie Burke said Roberts had been walking in the street arguing with a man. She was distressed and had blood on her clothes.

She walked into the library where caretaker Michael Bellamy saw she was covered in blood. As she went upstairs she shouted: "Get me an ambulance", and then had to be restrained by Mr Bellamy as she tried to throw herself from the staircase.

When police arrived she again had to be prevented from throwing herself from the staircase. When she heard them discussing whether she should go to hospital in an ambulance or a police car she became violent. She was arrested and handcuffed and taken to a police van but she began to shout abuse and struggled. Two officers were bitten, one bite drawing blood.

Alexander Martin, defending, said Roberts had a personality disorder and suffered from a mental illness, as did other family members. That day she had been receiving hospital treatment and had got drunk on her release.

Judge John Roberts said normally such serious offences would merit a prison sentence, but instead he made a care order for Roberts under the Mental Health Act.