A drunk woman bit a police officer’s finger so hard that he had to “smack” her on the back of the head to make her let go.

Victoria Olson had been out drinking in Canterbury when she came to the police’s attention after a report she was “having difficulty behaving” outside The Unicorn Inn on St Dunstans Street.

A court heard officers were sent to the location and saw the 30-year-old outside the pub shouting and swearing at people.

When PC Gary Neary approached her, she spotted him and then told him to f*** off and spat at him. After she was restrained and put in a police van, she then bit his finger.

Olson, of the Canterbury area, but of no fixed address, was later charged with assault on an emergency worker and being drunk and disorderly.

She admitted both offences when she appeared before magistrates in Medway on November 6.

Dylan Bradshaw, prosecuting, told the bench the incident happened on Saturday, October 7, at about 8pm.

He said: “A report came in as she was having difficulty behaving and drinking. When officers arrived she was shouting and swearing. She spotted the officers and told one to f*** off and then spat at him as she was being restrained.

“In the police van she was searched and she then bit the PC’s right finger. He had to smack her on the back of the head to free his finger.”

The court also heard Olson had no recollection of the events that happened that evening and regrets the situation. She had heard from her former partner that day which is what had triggered her to start drinking

Magistrates were told she had been in an abusive relationship for five years, but had now escaped from that situation, but in the process, had made herself homeless and had been sofa surfing since then on friends’ couches.

They were also told she had been drinking to blot out her problems and that she also suffered with mental health issues, including bipolar, and was currently claiming benefits including PIP (Personal Independence Payment).

Magistrates decided to place Olson on a 12-month community order which will see her attend 10 rehabilitation sessions with probation and complete a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.

They also ordered she pay £100 compensation to PC Neary.