A FORMER nurse has been fined after punching a police officer in the face.

Eleanor Gemmell, of Nightingale Road, Lowestoft, pleaded guilty at North East Suffolk Magistrates Court on Tuesday to assaulting an officer.

The 42-year-old was at an address in Florence Road, Lowestoft, when police received a 999 call.

PC Andrew Thorley who attened the scene was talking to a male when Gemmell attacked without warning. 'She mumbled something incoherent; she was drunk,' said Collette Griffiths, prosecuting. 'She then punched the officer in the face causing him to stumble backwards. She was arrested and cautioned.'

At Lowestoft Police Station, Gemmell continued to be aggressive and kicked PC Thorley.

Richard Mann, mitigating, told the court Gemmell's life had 'gone downhill' since a divorce in 2008.

He said: 'Up to the age of 41 she had never been in trouble. Now she's lost her job, she's lost her driving licence. If you told her she would be in this position a few years ago she would never have believed you, but 2011 is a new start for her.

'She's cut out the drinking and, hopefully, that will mean she cuts out the offending.'

Gemmell – who also admitted verbally abusing neighbours on a previous occasion – was sentenced to a nine-month community order with supervision. She was ordered to pay �50 compensation and �180 costs.