Last updated 10:14, Saturday, 01 November 2008

A Carlisle woman had to be arrested after abusing the 999 system.

But while in custody she gouged the finger of a police officer, refused to answer questions and then stripped semi-naked.

On another occasion Jackie Cameron was found drunk in Whitehaven with a kitchen knife in her handbag.

The 45-year-old from Richmond Green, Morton, was today beginning a 12-week jail term after she admitted a string of offences at the city’s magistrates court.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson said police answered a 999 call from Cameron on Aprtil 9 after she threatened to stab herself.

When officers arrived she was lying on the sofa and told them she had swallowed some tablets.

Ambulance staff then attended but decided she was okay.

Soon afterwards Cameron dialled 999 again and said she was going to burn the house down.

At the custody suite she became abusive and aggressive and while in a cell she managed to gouge the finger of an officer through the hatch.

Cameron admitted the misuse of the 999 network and violent behaviour in a police station.

She also admitted being drunk and incapable and possessing a bladed article in connection with the incident in Whitehaven in May.

She also admitted violent behaviour at Carlisle police station last December.

Margaret Payne, defending, said Cameron was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and had many problems.