A SOUTHAMPTON woman screamed, kicked and spat at hospital staff as they attempted to treat her after a drugs overdose, a court heard.

Rebecca Latchman abused doctors and nurses who came to her aid after she was rushed to hospital following an overdose of prescription drugs.

A court heard the 27-year-old screamed swear words at Southampton General Hospital staff as they attempted to wheel her on a bed.

The Southampton Solent student then attempted to “kick, bite and spit” at staff, before hitting a doctor on the shoulder, sparking security to intervene.

Latchman wasrestrained, but resumed her attacks after she was freed.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court via a prison video link, Latchman listened as defence lawyer Nicholas Muir said the incident had taken place in July.

Mr Muir said his client was “extremely unstable” at the time, following the break-up of a relationship.

He said Latchman was already serving a 32 month prison sentence for setting a fire outside her ex-partner’s flat – an incident which happened a month after her hospital outburst.

Mr Muir said Latchman had taken an overdose of anti-depression medication and had “blacked out”.

Prosecutor Liam Hunter said staff believed that Latchman would have been aware of her actions.

In the statement, a doctor said: “In all my time I have never seen such disgusting behaviour. She knew full well what she was doing.”

Latchman, of Burnham Chase, Harefield, pleaded guilty to one charge of using abusive language – avoiding a charge of assault as there was no body-cam footage of the incident.

She was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison by magistrates, to run concurrently with her current sentence, which she is currently serving at HMP Bronzefield, in Surrey.

Lead magistrate Kevin White said: “This was a personal attack.

“Most worryingly, it was an attack on three different hospital staff trying to help you.

"Three in particular got kicked bit and spat at.

“You could expect a very heavy sentence if it were not for your circumstances.”

Latchman was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.