A SOUTHAMPTON teen bit, kicked and spat at police officers while celebrating her 18th birthday in the city centre.

Amelia Ruth Hardwick had been drinking in All Bar One in Westquay during a night out.

However, when she became “heavily intoxicated and her behaviour began to deteriorate” she was asked to leave by security guards, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Prosecution barrister, Christopher Wing told how Hardwick became “aggressive and abusive”.

And, as she left Westquay she hit one of the guards in the shin and attempted to spit at and bite the other. She was restrained on the ground and the police were called, Mr Wing added.

When they arrived, Hardwick of Vine Road became upset.

She spat at officers, kicked one in the face, and when she was put into a police van bit another on the arm.

CCTV footage played at Southampton Crown Court showed Hardwick screaming, swearing and abusing police officers with a spit hood on her head.

Mr Wing told how later in the night; she pinched a female detention officer.

Hardwick has no previous convictions and during a police interview, made “full and frank admissions”.

Furthermore, claimed she did not remember most of what happened.

She was charged with eight counts of assaulting an emergency worker, two counts of ABH, and two counts of assault by beating - to which she pleaded guilty.

Defending, Jane Rowley said her client has great remorse and deeply regrets the events of July 16 last year.

Ms Rowley also cited mental health issues and that she had been taking medication.

Mr Recorder Mathew Turner described her behaviour as “extraordinary and violent”.

He accepted she was taking medication but said it must have been plain she shouldn’t have mixed it with alcohol. She was sentenced to six months in a youth detention centre, suspended for 18 months. She must complete 80 hours of unpaid work.