A drunken woman lashed out and spat at a nurse who was trying to help her.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Tracy Balfour, 42, committed the assault at A&E, Ninewells Hospital.
Balfour, of Kinbrae Park, Newport, Fife, had been taken to hospital by ambulance around 2am on July 1 last year.
Fiscal depute Trina Sinclair said: “The accused was heavily under the influence of alcohol and had marks indicating self-harm on her body when she arrived at A&E shortly after 2am.
“She became aggressive to staff and started shouting and swearing. She also lashed out with her arms and kicked out with her legs towards staff.
“She was seen by a consultant at 3am, and the consultant had no concerns other than she was under the influence of alcohol.
“The consultant advised she was to be kept in overnight due to her level of intoxication.
“The accused then later became aggressive towards a nurse and began to scream and spat at her.”
Police were contacted and Balfour was arrested and a spit mask placed over her head.
Solicitor Larry Flynn, defending, said: “She clearly has issues with alcohol and has taken steps since then to get assistance for that.
“She was also on medication at the time of the offence for depression.”
Balfour admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly shouting, swearing, lashing out with her arms and legs, and spitting, on July 1, at Ninewells Hospital.
She further admitted assaulting nurse Catherine Kerr by repeatedly lashing out with her arms, kicking out with her legs and spitting at her.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro said: “I’m certainly not going to put up with this. People were trying to help her. She’s lucky she’s not being kept in custody for this.”
Addressing Balfour, the sheriff said: “This was shameful behaviour and the fact that they had to put a spit mask on you must have made you realise that.”
Sentence was deferred until February 10.
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