A HEREFORD woman who kicked a paramedic while she was being given medical treatment has been told to pay him £50 compensation.

Hereford Magistrates Court (caps) heard how Lauren Marie Holland, 37, lashed out at the paramedic as she was being taken to hospital.

Prosecutor Melanie Winterflood said on June 30 paramedics were called to her home by police as they were concerned she was unwell.

She was unsteady on her feet and started to drift in and out of consciousness, Ms Winterflood said.

But after heading back to the police station, officers were then alerted to a call for help from the paramedics in the ambulance taking Holland to hospital.

The ambulance and first responder had pulled over near the entrance to Asda in Belmont Road as Holland was becoming agitated.

When police officers tried to handcuff Holland, she kicked one of the paramedics near his groin which caused him pain, but no serious injury.

Ms Winterflood said Holland had a previous conviction for assaulting an emergency worker in 2019.

Edmund Middleton, for Holland, said it was a "desperately sad set of circumstances" as she was struggling with her mental health.

He said Holland, now of Vernon Williams Close, could not remember the attack, but her behaviour could have been made worse by medication given by paramedics.

Mr Middleton said Holland was "deeply apologetic", and butting in she said she was "absolutely gutted" it had happened.

In court on August 18, magistrates fined Holland £50, told her to pay £50 compensation to the victim and a victim surcharge of £34.

Chair of the bench Paula James JP said Holland, who pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating of an emergency worker, did not have to pay costs due to her limited means.