A DRUNK woman ran out in front of cars in a town centre and then urinated in a police vehicle after being arrested.

Police were contacted with a report of a woman running out in front of cars on Murray Road in Workington on April 30, Workington Magistrates' Court was told.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said a police officer got hold of Julie Thompson, 62, who 'smelt of intoxicants', was 'unsteady on her feet' and 'struggling to finish her sentences'.

She was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. While being transported to custody, she kicked the inside of the cage, using force.

Thompson told police, "When you open the door, I will be more aggressive than a male."

On arrival at custody, police were requested to wait in the custody yard because it was busy, the court was told.

Officers opened the cage door to allow Thompson to have some fresh air but she had tried to walk around the yard. She stated she needed to use the toilet.

Police informed her it would be a few moments and she was kept in the rear of the police vehicle.

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Thompson said, "I'll just p**s in here", then proceeded to urinate in the police vehicle, after being told it would only be a five-minute wait, Ms Fee told the court.

The defendant had then rubbed her cut foot on the cage, smearing blood and urine around the cage.

In custody, she was asked to get changed but 'became aggressive'. She walked toward the police officer 'in an aggressive manner' and swiped a kick at the officer.

Thompson was then pushed back onto the bed in the cell by other police officers.

The police van needed £70 worth of cleaning.

John Cooper, defending, said Thompson was living in specialist accommodation and had been receiving support.

He said the defendant had been associating with a woman for quite a while who had stolen a 'significant amount of money' from her.

"She gets upset when things do go wrong. She starts to drink", Mr Cooper told the court. 

"She was going to kill herself. She was throwing herself in front of moving vehicles. She struggles to remember parts of what has gone on. 

"She behaved in a way she shouldn't have done. She knows that. Alcohol is obviously an issue."

Thompson, of Harrington Road, Workington, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, being drunk and disorderly in a public place and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Thompson has been granted bail until her next court appearance on May 16.

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