A YOUNG mum who attacked police and paramedics and threatened to kill officers' children 'deserves' to be in jail, a sheriff has declared.

Taylor Smith, 22, spat on one PC, tried to kick another on the head and lashed out at an ambulance crew who had been summoned to help her.

Her booze-fuelled violence was so out of control that she had to have a spit hood placed over her head and straps lashed to her legs after being handcuffed.

Smith, of Dubbs Road, Port Glasgow, has 'little or no recollection' of what she did, such was her extreme level of drunkenness.

The first offender had initially been put into a police car at midnight but her behaviour escalated to such an extent that a cell van was required.

Prosecutor Frankie Morgan told Greenock Sheriff Court: "She was shouting and swearing and making threats.

"On exiting the van at the police office she spat at a male PC, with the saliva striking him on his shoulder and back.

"A spit hood was applied and the accused took an immediate dislike to that and continued to shout and swear.

"At the charge bar she stated that she would kill the officers and their children.

"She kicked out at the officers and attempted to kick one officer on the head but fortunately he managed to move out of the way.

"The accused was then taken to the floor and straps were applied to her legs.

"However, the struggle continued."

The court heard how Smith — mum to a three-year-old child — had been arrested after police were called to an incident on November 18 last year.

A 'number of officers' were needed to carry her to a cell.

Paramedics were called in because she was complaining of a sore ankle after the straps and handcuffs were removed.

Fiscal depute Mr Morgan said: "She shouted at the paramedics, calling one 'speccy' as well as a derogatory name.

"The accused stated, 'I'm going to kick your glasses off your face' and she then attempted to kick out at the paramedics."

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "She has little, if any, recollection due to the level of intoxication.

"She is disgusted and embarrassed by her behaviour — and she clearly lost all self control.

"Miss Smith is a first offender and I ask the court to have regard to the fact that she is a young mother who has had certain issues."

Sheriff Thomas Ward told Smith: "My first inclination was to send you to jail because that's where I think you deserve to be.

"You were clearly not looking after her young child when you were so drunk."

"We must look at all alternatives to prison, so I'm prepared to deal with this in another way as an alternative to an immediate custodial sentence."

Smith was placed under supervision for 12 months, ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and she will be on a night-time tagging curfew to remain at home between 8pm and 8am each day for 12 weeks.

Sheriff Ward told her: "If you breach any conditions you will be brought back here and the order will be revoked."

A progress review hearing has been scheduled for March 25.