A MUM who breached a good behaviour order for violence by biting a police officer who'd just arrested her for assault has been told she must do hundreds of hours of unpaid work — or be jailed.

Amanda Benson was out on bail regarding a separate allegation of serious assault when she pursued and attacked a man in the street before sinking her teeth into a male PC's hand at 2am.

Benson, 37 — a mother-of-four — was on a deferred sentence for another assault on a man when she carried out the twin attacks at Shore Street, Gourock, on October 12.

Prosecutor David Glancy told Greenock Sheriff Court: "The accused and another female were observed on CCTV just outside the Darroch Bar in conversation with two males.

"There was some hostility towards one male, who has never been traced.

"The accused pushed him on the body and he moved away, then she went after him across the street and slapped him on the face.

"Police arrived and a male officer had her under control with his hand on her left shoulder and she turned without much warning and bit the officer on his left hand.

"On being cautioned and charged she replied, 'Whatever'."

Benson was remanded in custody for nearly 50 days prior to a sentencing hearing over the incidents.

The court heard that she was on bail regarding a charge of serious violence which she is said to have perpetrated in May.

She was also on deferred sentence to be of good behaviour after seizing a man by his hair at the Darroch Bar in August last year.

Benson's lawyer, Michael Poggi, said: "She would benefit from supervision and an alcohol treatment programme, and she is fit for unpaid work.

"She needs to be at liberty to look after her family."

Benson also targeted a couple's home on Larkfield Road, Gourock, and acted in an aggressive manner during a foul-mouthed disturbance in September last year.

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre ordered her to complete 228 hours of unpaid work within a period of nine months.

Benson, previously of Tower Drive, Gourock, but now of Langhouse Road, Inverkip, must also attend alcohol counselling and remain under social work supervision for a year as a direct alternative to custody.

The sheriff told her: "You were given a chance to sort yourself out and you certainly haven't done that. It is a shame you didn't take the opportunity."