A mum who attacked a police officer after she was caught drink-driving for the third time has escaped a jail sentence.

Karen Pickford, 38, swore and lashed out at the cop after a drunken row with friends.

Pickford, an office worker in Manchester, had driven to Dukinfield, Tameside, while over the legal limit.

It was her third drink-driving offence in seven years and also her third offence of assaulting a police officer.

But Tameside magistrates gave Pickford, of Heatherside, Stalybridge, an 18-week suspended jail sentence. Pickford wept and breathed a sigh of relief when the sentence was imposed. She had admitted drink-driving, assaulting a police officer and a public order offence at an earlier hearing.

Police were called to Zetland Street, in Dukinfield, on October 30 last year and found two distressed women who said they had been attacked by the defendant.

Later, Pickford returned to the house in her Peugeot car.

Becky Slate, prosecuting, said: “The defendant looked dishevelled and had blood on her hands and clothing.

“The officer could smell alcohol on her breath and said he was going to arrest her for drink-driving.

“She became very aggressive and said ‘no you’re not. I’m not going anywhere without a fag’.”

Pickford lashed out at the cop and ‘repeatedly punched at him with her wrist’, Miss Slate said.

Other officers were called to the scene and Pickford was arrested. She was breathalysed and found to be over the drink-drive limit.

Colin Ingham, defending, said: “This is something she deeply regrets and acknowledges that her behaviour isn’t that which society demands.

“She acknowledges the assault and apologises for it.

“This was not a long-standing premeditated attack where the officer sustained life-threatening injuries.

“She’s a working mother who is holding down a responsible job.”

Pickford was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to carry out 100 hours of community punishment. She was also ordered to pay £250 costs.