A drunk woman was arrested after she began pushing people waiting in a taxi rank queue.

Police officers were on duty at the taxi rank on Duke Street in Whitehaven at 3.20am on June 25, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the officers were stood opposite the taxi rank, watching the queue of people and saw a group of four females and three males waiting for a taxi.

Nicole Hellon, 19, who appeared to be on her own, started to push the group with her hands causing people to fall over, the court was told.

A police officer came over and stood between her and the rest of the queue. Hellon had started shouting, “I’m not going to calm down, I’ve just been assaulted.”

At this point a small amount of blood started to trickle from her nose and Hellon said, ‘look I’m bleeding’.

Ms Fee said Hellon had then started to lunge towards a female in the queue.

The officer had then intervened because she was concerned Hellon was going to assault somebody. The officer took hold of her by the wrist but she continued to struggle.

Hellon was flinging her arm under the officer’s face, and narrowly missed her, the court heard.

The officer told Hellon to cross the road and the defendant began shouting and swearing, asking why she was being restrained.

Ms Fee said Hellon was given the opportunity to walk away but again shouted. The officers attempted to reason with her and she was asked one more time to get into a taxi.

Hellon had then shouted, “What are you going to do, arrest me?” She had then thrown a lighter and cigarettes towards the officer, shouting, “****ing do it then”.

She was arrested and taken to custody.

Hellon, who had no legal representation, apologised to the court for her behaviour.

The defendant, of Devon Road, Hensingham, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Passing sentence, Jeff Forster, lead magistrate, said: “You have got a criminal record now. Next time you are out on the drink, remember you have got to rein it in.”

Hellon was fined £40 and must pay £85 costs and a £16 victim surcharge.