AN aggressive woman spat on a police officer when they were called to her home over a domestic abuse matter.

Repeat offender Lisa McDougall hit her partner over the head at her home on Glasgow Road in Clydebank.

The 34-year-old appeared in the dock at Dumbarton Sheriff Court where she had pleaded guilty to assaulting the man on February 18 this year.

She also admitted to assaulting the female police constable by spitting on her and conducting herself in a disorderly manner and continuously shouting and swearing at police witnesses.

Scott Adair, defending, said: "The narrative and background have been accepted by Miss McDougall. I think there is a direct alternative to custody.

"I would invite your lordship to follow the recommendation in the [social work] report and consider a community payback order.

"I am in your lordship's hands."

Sheriff Seith Ireland said: "You have a worrying record. It is a serious matter because it involves spitting on police. There is a concern because of what we went through over a period of years and it has heightened your awareness of what could happen.

"The police have a public duty and shouldn't be put in a line of fire. They should be protected when they are putting themselves in public and people react badly by spitting on them.

"There is an alternative to custody."

McDougall was placed on a community payback order and told to complete 180 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.