A DRUNK carer who repeatedly punched a vulnerable woman with learning difficulties before spitting in the face of a police officer said she had “no memory” of the attack.

Anne Campbell was turned away after she tried to board a bus while intoxicated in Pier Avenue, Clacton, in November last year.

Lashing out in anger, she pulled on the windscreen wiper of the bus.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard how the driver decided to take a quick circuit, in the hopes Campbell would move on.

But when he returned to Pier Avenue he witnessed Campbell attacking a woman.

Sharon Hall, prosecuting, said: “It is a sustained assault.

“The bus driver made a statement saying Miss Campbell had pinned her up against Boots pharmacy.

“She used her right hand in a fist and made a punching motion, attacking her several times to the head and face area. The victim was covering her face, screaming and trying to protect herself.”

Police officers arrived and took Campbell into custody.

But once at the station she acted aggressively towards officers, shouting and swearing before spitting directly into the face of a PC.

Campbell, who works frequent night shifts as a carer for an agency, admitted one count of assault and a count of assault on an emergency worker.

Ms Hall said the vulnerable victim had learning difficulties.

Mark Pearson, mitigating, said: “Miss Campbell is ashamed of her behaviour. It is a very unpleasant incident.

“The background is Miss Campbell suffers from anxiety, depression and bereavement issues.

“She said this incident occurred around about the time of the anniversary of the death of her grandson.”

Mr Pearson described how Campbell had been out drinking with a friend when her alcohol consumption got out of hand.

“On this occasion she carried on drinking and has no recollection of anything after she left her home address,” he said.

“She doesn’t dispute anything that happened and is remorseful.

“She had no idea who the victim of the assault had been, she had never seen her before and hasn’t seen her since."

Magistrates ordered Campbell, 53, of Leas Road, Clacton, to complete 160 hours of unpaid work and pay £375 in fines, court costs and compensation to the two victims.