A WOMAN who racially abused a doctor trying to assess her at Colchester Hospital had to be restrained by security guards while she was being sentenced in court.

Vicky Martin was told by magistrates on Thursday she will face a 46-week prison term for assaulting emergency workers and racially aggravated harassment.

But before she could be sentenced, Martin attempted to produce an object from her pocket and had to be taken to the ground by members of security staff at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Martin, 40, shouted “I don’t want to hurt you” several times when she was held down, and the courtroom was evacuated.

Sentence - Vicky Martin appeared in Colchester Magistrates' Court after admitting five chargesSentence - Vicky Martin appeared in Colchester Magistrates' Court after admitting five charges (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Magistrates went on to sentence Martin in her absence as it was considered a safety risk for her to return to the dock.

Martin previously admitted three charges of assault by beating of an emergency worker, one charge of common assault of an emergency worker, and one charge of racially aggravated harassment.

The court heard how Martin, of Panton Crescent, Colchester, attended Colchester Hospital on November 11 for treatment to a head injury.

She was believed to be under the influence of drugs at the time and police were called to the hospital following reports of a disturbance.

At about 9.30pm, Martin became abusive and tried to walk into different wards of the hospital.

A one-hour incident followed, during which Martin kicked and punched security officer Calvin Reid, and threw food on the floor.

Martin, who had hepatitis B and C, was coughing and spitting on the floor and then tried to enter the stroke ward.

Abuse - Vicky Martin racially abused a doctor who was assessing her, a court heard on ThursdayAbuse - Vicky Martin racially abused a doctor who was assessing her, a court heard on Thursday (Image: Newsquest)

She then assaulted deputy sister Clare Corbett, and when doctor Natasha Rennie tried to medically examine the defendant, Martin hurled abusive language at her.

Sentencing Martin, chair of the bench Martin Stuchfield said he was going to pass a jail sentence, prompting the defendant to break down in tears before she tried to take something out of her pocket and was restrained by security guards.

Mr Stuchfield said Martin had a history of assaulting emergency workers and sentenced her to 46 weeks in prison and ordered her to pay £187 in costs.