A registered carer who racially abused and assaulted a police officer after mixing medication with lager has been sentenced.

Police were called to the Campanile Hotel in Crossways Business Park, Dartford, on November 21 last year to reports that a heavily intoxicated woman was causing a disturbance.

Medway Magistrates’ Court heard Leanne Rickman, 35, had only drunk one can of Fosters, but had also taken sleeping medication, hoping it would make her pass out following an argument earlier that day with her mother.

Although registered as a carer at her mother’s address in Greenhithe, Miss Rickman is technically of no fixed abode and had driven to the hotel knowing she could park her car there.

But her plan to pass out and “start again” didn’t work out, as defence solicitor Jeremy Betts recalled.

“With the medication she’s on, if she drinks it may make her become ill and make her pass out,” he said. “That didn’t happen. The alcohol together with the drugs made her get into a state where she was out of control.”

Prosecutor David Fairest earlier described how she had become abusive while police drove her to North Kent Police Station, shouting at PC Ajay Powar, and she had later continued to be abusive and kicked him in the shin at the station.

Mr Betts said Miss Rickman had previously suffered from alcohol addiction and mental health issues but had made a lot of progress in overcoming her problems.

“When she saw the video from police she was very remorseful,” he said. “She says she would never tolerate racism towards people so she understands how the officer must have felt.

“It’s clear she has had a problem with alcohol. It’s something she’s controlling but it’s one of those addictions that is cyclical.

“The plan will be that she will keep going and get to a level where she doesn’t have to touch drink again.”

Miss Rickman pleaded guilty to one charge of “assault by beating of an emergency worker” and another charge of racially aggravated harassment.

She received a 12-month community order, with an alcohol treatment requirement and 80 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the officer, £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.