A DRINK-DRIVER who attacked five police officers has been spared a prison sentence – despite her "appalling" record of previous offending.

Young mum Amber Hurley, 25, has battled a series of mental health problems and was the victim of domestic violence, a court heard on Friday.

Hurley, who lives in Sterte Close, Poole, was behind the wheel of her purple Nissan Micra when she was pulled over by police at Cemetery Junction in Bournemouth in the early hours of November 29 last year.

As police approached the driver's side door, Hurley sped off into Charminster Road. Shortly afterwards, she was seen to turn into the car park of the Richmond Arms pub.

Officers then tried to get her out of the car, but she refused and was then "removed" by the police and arrested.

Jane Rowley, prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, said Hurley began "violently swinging her head around".

"Officers found it necessary to restrain her against the bonnet of their vehicle," the barrister said.

Over the course of the next few hours as Hurley was arrested, taken to custody and breathalysed, she assaulted five officers, mainly by kicking them. She also repeatedly threatened to spit, the court heard.

Hurley had 47 micrograms of alcohol in her breath when she was stopped. The limit is 35mg.

When she was interviewed by police, she admitted she'd had three vodkas before driving, but said she didn't believe she was affected. Midway through the interview, Hurley became "aggressive" again, climbing onto the table in order to turn the tapes recording the encounter off.

Once again, she was restrained and escorted to her cell.

Hurley has some 29 convictions for 60 offences, including an arson committed in 2007 when she was a juvenile. In 2017, she was convicted of a string of offences which mirrored those committed in November, the court heard.

She admitted drink driving, five counts of assaulting an emergency worker and one of criminal damage.

Genevieve Woods, mitigating, said the defendant has been the victim of domestic violence which has had a serious impact on her mental health.

"In 2017, she became the victim of some very serious domestic abuse," Ms Woods said.

"She is recovering, but what happened to her has made her very fearful and panicky."

Some of the assaults on police officers occurred because of the way Hurley was restrained, Ms Woods said.

"She panicked and lashed out," the barrister said.

"The restraint was very violent in this particular case and she was overwhelmed."

Hurley was "bruised" as a result of the restraint, the court heard.

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC said Hurley has an "appalling" record, but acknowledged that her mental health is currently more stable and she is seeing a psychiatrist regularly.

As a result, he sentenced her to a two-year community order with 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Hurley was also banned from driving for 12 months.