A DRUNKEN woman punched a policeman in the face after he came to her aid.

Canterbury magistrates heard that Kelly Challacombe, 23, a single mother, was not wearing any trousers when she assaulted PC Russell Balment in Vauxhall Avenue in the city.

Challacombe, of New Ruttington Lane, Canterbury, said she had and her friend had downed a bottle of gin, a bottle of Martini and a bottle of vodka on the night.

Teresa Ruiz, prosecuting, said police had been called after reports of a disturbance at 1.45am on September 19.

Challacombe was in the road wearing a beige coat, but no trousers. She had a lump on the side of her head and was complaining of feeling dizzy.

PC Balment radioed for an ambulance, but minutes later Challacombe told him she didn’t need one.

She then told him: "You don’t understand."

She gritted her teeth, raised her fist and punched him on the nose.

"He had no time to react," Mrs Ruiz said. "His nose began to bleed. It immediately swelled and was very sore."

Challacombe was arrested and taken to the police station. She was abusive on the way there and said: "I will remember your faces. What goes around comes around."

Later she apologised for her behaviour. In court, she admitted assaulting a police officer.

Mrs Ruiz said Challacombe was last in court in April for two assaults when she was given a one-year conditional discharge. She also has a previous conviction for assaulting police.

Ian Bond, defending, said Challacombe had been assaulted that night. She suffered a lump on her head, a black eye and a cracked rib.

Mr Bond said: "This is a single mother who is realistic enough to realise that she has a problem with drink. This is a case crying out for a little bit of probation intervention."

Sentencing was adjourned until October 27.