A WOMAN 'donkey kicked' a police officer after being arrested for spitting in a man's face, a court heard.

Hephizibah Elspeth Watts, 29, confronted a group of people in Beaminster on New Year's Day, where she coughed in their faces and spat in the face of one of the victims, saying she had coronavirus.

These offences were dealt with at Weymouth Magistrates Court in March and reported in the News.

Watts, of East Street, Bridport, returned to court last week to admit a further offence on the same day.

Magistrates heard that after committing the assaults in Beaminster she was arrested at a petrol station on the A35 in Winterbourne Abbas. She was handcuffed and taken to Dorset County Hospital, and kicked out at a police officer while en route.

Watts pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Prosecuting, Richard Oakley said: "After the initial incident on New Year's Day she was found and arrested.

"Officers were advised to take her to hospital. While in the police van she slipped out of the handcuffs. An officer reapplied the cuffs but was donkey kicked by the defendant after she connected with the his leg.

"According to the officer this caused considerable pain."

Representing Watts, Lee Christmas said: "She had a mental health crisis.

"When she was in the van she was in pain due to an injury on her arm and was asking for help.

"She accepts what she did was wrong and since her initial court appearance she has engaged with the current (community) order imposed."

Probation officer Loretta Cox said: "She's engaged with intervention partners Reach and other agencies.

"She has had the longest current stability period for a while."

Magistrates said Watts' progress was 'encouraging'.

She was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the victim.