A Workington woman who assaulted a police officer as he tried to help her by giving her a blanket has been spared from prison - thanks to a probation officer's "sterling work".

Katrina Swayne, 31, had got into trouble in September last year for harassing her neighbour, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Jack Troupe, prosecuting, outlined how a restraining order was put in place on September 22, banning Swayne from having any contact with the victim.

Part of that sentence included a suspended 84 day jail sentence.

Yet three days after the sentence was imposed, said Mr Troupe, the neighbour became concerned about Swayne burning wood in her back garden because of the amount of smoke and dust being generated.

After council officials visited the defendant, she was heard to say: "If they want a fire, they're going to get a fire."

The following morning, Swayne started yet another fire and at 5.30pm there was a heated argument between her and her unhappy neighbour. Police were called as a result.

Swayne was not in when the officers arrived but she returned home later that night and after shouting at another neighbour she began being verbally abusive to the harassment victim.

At 10.20pm, Swayne was heard banging on the adjoining wall as she yelled insults.

The police assault offence, the court heard, happened on September 29 after the defendant was taken into custody.

"Her behaviour was described as erratic," said Mr Troupe.

The barrister the defendant was seen throwing water about her police cell and clambering on to a window ledge and threatening to jump. She refused to wear safety clothing and sat in her underwear.

When an officer tried to give her a blanket to cover herself, she kicked out and her leg made contact with the stomach of the officer who was helping her .

"He winced in pain and bent over," said Mr Troupe, adding there were no lasting injuries.

Judge Paul Lawton paid tribute to probation officer Noreen Ainsworth, telling the defendant: "You are indebted to Ms Ainsworth. Her sterling work has enabled me to look at this in an entirely different light."

The officer's background report , he said, explained clearly that the defendant's behaviour was linked to her deteriorating mental mental. But in recent months, said the judge, the report confirmed that she had made "significant progress."

The defendant, of Station Road, Workington, who admitted assaulting an emergency worker and breaching a restraining order, was given a community order with 20 days of rehabilitation."