A woman who unleashed a tirade of verbal abuse towards shop staff and onlookers has been jailed and banned from a town centre.

Stephanie Parker was handed a Community Protection Notice (CPN) earlier this year which prevented her from street drinking in Margate.

But patrolling officers repeatedly found her with open alcohol containers and making abusive comments in October this year.

Parker was spoken to by an officer in Cecil Square on October 13 after she was again seen drinking alcohol.

The 34-year-old became abusive and – as she was arrested for being drunk and disorderly – attacked the officer.

Parker was charged with and later admitted four counts of breaching a CPN, as well as assaulting an emergency worker and being drunk and disorderly.

She was jailed for 40 days at Margate Magistrates' Court on Monday.

She was also made the subject of a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order which prevents her from using abusive language in public, leaving rubbish or other items in public and entering Margate town centre.

She also cannot have an open alcohol container or consume booze in public.

Breaching the terms of the order could see her further jailed or fined.

Thanet Sergeant Daniel Bartlett said: “Kent Police is determined to keep our town and city centres safe, free of those who might abuse or threaten residents and visitors.

“Stephanie Parker has repeatedly caused problems for businesses in Margate and that is why we have taken the steps we have and obtained this court order.

“I hope she now takes responsibility for her behaviour and abides by the conditions, without impacting other people in Thanet.”