A young woman who attacked a 61-year-old man outside a Carlisle takeaway shop has been warned she is likely to be jailed.

Sarah Jane Stedman, 21, was already under the threat of a suspended eight month prison term when she attacked 61-year-old Thomas Skelton in Botchergate for no reason on August 1.

At the city's magistrates' court, Stedman, of Marks Avenue, Raffles, Carlisle, admitted common assault and assaulting a police officer.

Prosecutor Pam Ward told how Mr Skelton had been out drinking with friends and after leaving The Cumberland Inn on Botchergate he decided to get some chips from the nearby Crusty Cobbler.

As he approached the takeaway, he noticed the defendant standing outside, and she greeted him with the words: “Hey, old man.”

He replied in kind, saying: “Hey, young girl.”

Reacting, the girl instantly became aggressive. She attacked him, causing him to fall over and hit his head on the ground. “I was shocked by her behaviour,” said the victim.

“I can't believe how aggressive she was for no reason.”

The defendant continued to be violent even when police intervened. She yelled abuse at the police officers who tried to restrain her, and twice punched the woman police officer involved in the face.

She then kicked out and grabbed the officer's face, leaving her cheek scratched.

The court heard that in 2014 Stedman was given a suspended eight month jail term for an assault causing actual bodily harm.

That sentence was suspended for 24 months.

District Judge Gerald Chalk said the defendant should be sentenced by a circuit judge at Carlisle Crown Court and he sent the case there for a hearing on September 23.

He commented: “I certainly think it's likely the suspended sentence will be activated.”

He granted Stedman bail, with a condition that she observes an 11pm to 5am curfew, the times designed to allow her to do shifts at the factory where she works.