A Canterbury heroin addict has been left gobsmacked after being sent to prison - for spitting at a policeman.

Siobhan Smalle, 36, lashed out with her mouth when her boyfriend was arrested for robbery.

But a judge told gobby Smalle: "What could be lower and nastier than spitting into someone's face? You behaved in an absolutely disgusting way."

Canterbury Crown Court heard her victim Sgt Graham Todd was concerned because Smalle was known to have what was described as "an infectious disease".

That led the officer to immediately use a special solution to wash his eyes where the spittle landed before having to undergo further examinations. He was eventually given the all-clear.

The court heard how the officer had gone through "anguish" until tests proved negative.

Smalle - of Military Road, Canterbury, and who has previous convictions for assaults on police officers - was jailed for four months.

Prosecutor Jim Harvey said she was arrested shortly after a robbery, but as Smalle was handcuffed and being led away she began swearing and kicking out.

Kerry Waite, for Smalle, said: "It was a very unpleasant incident, but she was intoxicated at the time. She is addicted to heroin and saw the prospect of being taken into custody and having her supply cut off. She reacted in an aggressive and violent way."

The lawyer added Smalle now wanted now to apologise to the officer.

Judge James O'Mahoney told her: "You have made a habit of assaulting police officers who are doing their duty protecting the public.

"This is just about the worst form of assault that someone could carry out because it brings human beings right down in terms of conduct."

The incident began when Mohammed Rahman went for a walk in Herne Bay town centre at 1.30am last October to buy some alcohol.

The court heard Smalle and lover Alexander Bull spotted him and began badgering him for money.

"What could be lower and nastier than spitting into someone's face? You behaved in an absolutely disgusting way..." Judge

Mr Rahman handed over loose change before agreeing to go with the couple to the seafront where Bull asked for more money.

And when he tried to leave he was punched in the stomach and had his wallet, with five £10 notes and bank cards, taken from his back pocket.

Mr Harvey added that as he lay on the ground he was kicked repeatedly by Bull, 31, of Stranger Lane, Canterbury who has been jailed for four years and eight months after admitting robbery.

The victim then suffered an epileptic attack following the assault, the court heard.

The judge told the heroin addict: "This was a robbery on a man who had shown you kindness by giving you some money which you no doubt needed to feed your addiction.

"You then set about him punching and kicking him many times. He suffered an epileptic seizure, which was caused by what happened.

"You have admitted that only a long prison sentence is your only hope of rehabilitation."