A PORT woman who carried out a head-kicking assault on a police officer began sobbing in court when told she was facing jail.

Elizabeth McGugan booted a female constable in the face after officers responded to an early hours noise complaint at a house.

McGugan, 25, had moments earlier been repeatedly shouting and swearing at police to the point where she had to be arrested.

Prosecutor John Penman told Greenock Sheriff Court: "The accused invited both officers inside and it was noted that she was drunk.

"She was seated when she began to repeatedly swear at the police.

"She was asked to behave but continued and as she was being arrested she kicked the officer, catching her under her right eye."

McGugan — whom the court heard has been jailed before — pleaded guilty to shouting, swearing, acting aggressively and assault.

She committed the offences shortly after 1am on July 7 at a pal's house on the Port's Dougliehill Road.

Fiscal depute Mr Penman said: "The accused was placed in a cell van, conveyed to Greenock police officer and released when sober."

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "She was very drunk indeed and seems to have lost control.

"In sobriety she expresses regret."

Sheriff Thomas Ward told McGugan: "It's either a community payback order or custody for you.

"The fact that you have not been in bother for a considerable period of time persuades me not to impose an immediate custodial sentence."

McGugan, of Highholm Street, was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within three months and an alternative to prison.