A NURSE at the West Cumberland Hospital says she feels "violated" after being spat at by a drunken patient.

Lynn Ivison was trying to assist Kim McCourt, who was being "disruptive and aggressive" in the A&E department on June 30. During the incident, McCourt, 31, spat at Nurse Ivison. It did not hit her but, the nurse said in a court statement, she "feels violated" by the episode, adding: "I am saddened that this type of unacceptable incident is common."

The police were called and the court heard that McCourt then began to spat at and kick out at the officers. And as they tried to put her into a police van, she kicked and banged her head against it.

Appearing at West Cumbria Courthouse on Friday, McCourt, of Hunday Court, Workington, admitted one count of common assault against Nurse Ivison, and two counts of resisting arrest. In sentencing her to 40 hours of unpaid work, district judge Gerald Chalk told McCourt her behaviour had been "a disgusting piece of action".

John Cooper, solicitor for McCourt, told the court his client has "no recollection of how she got to hospital". He added: "She has suffered with some mental health issues over the last 12 months and has taken to drink."

Compensation of £75 to Nurse Ivision was ordered, plus £85 court costs.