A HOMELESS woman swore at police officers and then spat in their vehicle, a court heard.

Appearing at North East Wales Magistrates’ Court, Zoe Mari Leigh Roberts, 22, pleaded guilty to charges of using threatening and abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, obstructing a constable in execution of their duty and criminal damage, following an incident in Holywell on July 5.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said police officers were responding to reports of a disturbance on Abbotts Walk at around 7pm and found a man and a woman fighting in the street.

Roberts then arrived on the scene and began shouting and swearing at the officers and despite repeated warnings to calm down she was arrested.

Mr Espie said Roberts tried to “pull away” from officers as she struggled and at one point she dropped to the floor in an effort to resist them while also telling them she would kill herself.

Once officers managed to get her into a police vehicle she spat on the window before she was driven to St Asaph Police Station where she was held overnight due to her “volatility”.

Gary Harvey, defending, said Roberts was staying in a homeless shelter in Flint and on the day in question she had mixed alcohol with medication she was taking for depression and anxiety.

“She is an intelligent lady with underlying problems who needs to get her life on track,” added Mr Harvey.

Roberts’ support worker also spoke in court where she said attempts were being made to find housing for the defendant, but due to a “ridiculous” waiting list this was proving difficult.

A probation report by probation officer Jenny Roberts, said Roberts had been “particularly wound up” before the incident after someone had made a comment about her mother who had recently died.

“The police caught her at a very bad time and she is very embarrassed and very ashamed,” said Ms Roberts, who added that Roberts’ bail conditions not to drink in a public place had helped curb her alcoholism.

Ms Roberts said the 22-year-old had been “sofa surfing” since October last year and had split up from her partner causing her to access the homeless services in Flint.

She added that Roberts, a mother of two, did have issues with cannabis use as well as alcohol but was keen to start working again as a barmaid and begin a beauty course at Coleg Cambria.

Chair of the bench, Geoff Bull, imposed a community sentence with a fine of £90 and a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) as well as ordering Roberts to pay £144 compensation to North Wales Police for the cleaning of the vehicle.

She will also pay a £40 fine for the obstruction offence, a £40 fine for the criminal damage offence and court costs of £85.