A YORK woman struck a police officer in the nose after he removed a cigarette from her mouth at Fulford Road Police Station, York magistrates heard.

She was under arrest because she swore at PC David Taylor in the city centre when he had refused her a lift in his police van.

Deborah Lee Elcock, 36, of Cromer Street, Clifton, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and using threatening behaviour.

She was ordered to pay a £200 fine, £25 compensation and £70 in court costs.

Jane Cook, prosecuting, said PC Taylor was in a parked police van in Rougier Street at 10.20pm, on July 23, when Elcock approached asking for a lift to the corner.

When the officer refused she swore at him a number of times and after two warnings was arrested and taken to Fulford Road station.

On arrival PC Taylor saw Elcock smoking a cigarette in a no-smoking area which she refused to extinguish when told.

Mrs Cook said Elcock struck the officer on the end of his nose with the back of her right hand as he tried to remove the cigarette from her mouth. She was pushed away by PC Taylor and restrained by officers.

PC Taylor suffered a sore nose in the incident.

Mark Thompson, mitigating, said Elcock had been out drinking with friends and her initial contact with PC Taylor had started out as "amicable banter".

Elcock insisted the officer had removed the cigarette from her hand causing her to lash out her arm and connect with his face.

Mr Thompson said the assault was "reckless, but not intentional".