A DRUNK woman who was out celebrating her birthday was arrested for being drunk and disorderly after calling police officers “dirty black c***s”.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that Anne Marriner, who has more than 140 previous convictions, went on to call 999 numerous times claiming to need emergency services when she was in fact fit and well.

John Garside, prosecuting, said: “At approximately 11.30pm on Monday, September 30, police on mobile patrol in Darlington were travelling along Church Row when they saw the defendant stood on the road side outside of a public house.

“She has shouted ‘you f*****g dirty black c***s, get f****d you black c***.

“Officers told her to behave and she continued on with her shouting and swearing.

“She was under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour.”

Mr Garside added that the following week, on October 9, Marriner called 999 a total of nine times asking for police.

He added: “The content of the calls involved asking for advice and stating facts she knew to be false and making threats to the call handler.

“Police attended twice and she appeared fit and well. She was arrested for her behaviour.

“Effectively, police consider themselves to be an overstretched police force and it’s diverting resources from where they could be urgently needed.

“Police consider this a huge waste of police time.”

Marriner, of Auckland Terrace, Shildon, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place on September 30 and sending false messages to cause annoyance and inconvenience on October 9.

She also pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to surrender to court and one of committing further offences whilst subject to a conditional discharge.

Michael Clarke, mitigating, said: “She has a very long criminal record, going back to 1987.

“If I can address what has happened in recent times, in September last year she received a custodial sentence, released on December 31, subject to post-sentence supervision, which she is still subject to.

“She has had mental health issues for a number of years and accommodation has been a major issue for her, when she was released last year accommodation was found for her in a hostel in Leeds where she lived until May when she returned back to this area.

“All has been fine for her in Shildon and I have not seen her for a couple of months.

“On this occasion she was out in Darlington celebrating her birthday, she had far too much to drink and you have heard what happened next.

“She is sorry for that and apologises to the officers through me.”

Mr Clarke added that it wasn’t the first time Marriner has called emergency services, and it is something which has occurred in the past when she is on her own late at night.

Chair of the bench, Beverley Dodds, fined Marriner £120 and imposed a 12 month community order. The 51-year-old must also pay £90 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.