THE price of spitting on the face of a police officer in the line of duty has been set at a paltry £40 by a sheriff.

That's how much a woman who carried out such an assault has been ordered to pay a PC in compensation.

Angela Osbourne, 46, was out of control on prescription drugs and booze when she committed the disgusting attack.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how Osbourne spat on the male officer before trying to kick him.

Prosecutor Frankie Morgan said: "Police had cause to arrest the accused and she was placed in handcuffs and within the rear of a marked vehicle.

"She adopted an aggressive and hostile attitude and whilst en-route to Greenock police office she deliberately spat on a male officer, striking him on the left side of his face.

"Police restrained the accused to prevent any further assault.

"As a spit hood was being applied to the accused she attempted to kick out at the officer she'd just spat on."

Osbourne, of Branchton Road in Greenock, committed the offences shortly after midnight on July 13.

She pleaded guilty to assaulting an officer in the execution of his duty by spitting on his face and kicking out at him.

Osbourne's not guilty plea to a charge of having earlier behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing was accepted.

Her lawyer, Ellen Macdonald, said: "Mrs Osborne lost her husband a number of years ago and has struggled to cope.

"She drank to excess and has no real recollection of events."

Ms Macdonald added: "She has chronic Crohn's disease and is on strong medication that she drank on top of.

"There are no analogous offences on her record and she has not bothered the court for more than ten years now.

"She is extremely embarrassed by her behaviour and she extends an apology to the officer."

In addition to the £40 compensation order, Sheriff Valerie Johnston fined Osbourne £240.