A WOMAN could be sent to prison after spitting at a police officer and damaging a nightclub worker’s car.

Emma Townsend, of Angel Place, Worcester, was arguing with doorstaff at Mode nightclub before calling 999 to report a stolen purse, Worcester Magistrates Court was told.

Sarah Stock, prosecuting, said the 24-year-old was ejected from the club at about 4am but had tried to get back in after noticing her purse was missing.

Door staff refused her entry, so she called police to investigate the alleged theft.

Officers attended and saw a number of staff from the club standing around a black BMW which had been damaged on the nearside passenger door. The car belonged to one of the nightclub workers.

Witnesses said Townsend had been ejected from the club but claimed her purse was inside.

After arguing with the doorstaff, she then kicked the car four times, Mrs Stock said.

Police spoke to Townsend, who was highly intoxicated and unsteady on her feet, before arresting her for criminal damage.

Mrs Stock said as Townsend was being put into handcuffs, she snorted loudly and spat in the face of one of the officers, but he was able to block it with his hand.

At Worcester Police Station, Townsend said she had drunk two or four glasses of White Lightning cider at home, then drank red wine at the club.

She claimed her purse and mobile phone were stolen at the club but could not remember what happened outside.

Townsend admitting criminal damage and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.

District judge Bruce Morgan expressed a desire to send Townsend straight to prison but Mark Turnbull, defending, said a full pre-sentence report was necessary to tackle her drinking issues. Mr Morgan said: “I have a mind to send you straight to prison as I can’t think of anything more disgusting than spitting in someone’s face. You had called the police to ask for help.”

Townsend was bailed on the condition she co-operates with a curfew between 8pm and 7am.

She will be sentenced on Wednesday, February 23.

l Your Worcester News was the only member of the media to attend this hearing.