A woman who spat in a police officer's face has been jailed for eight months.

Avril Keenan told the female officer she had tuberculosis and that she would get it, Hove Crown Court heard.

The 32-year-old was arrested after police found a stolen mountain bike at her home in Ashburnham Road, Furnace Green, Crawley, in August.

Rob Hall, prosecuting, said Keenan was already on bail for shoplifting and bail offences.

Keenan pleaded guilty to four thefts, two bail offences and an assault on police. She appeared for sentencing yesterday.

Mr Hall said police went to Keenan's home in connection with the bail offences.

She wasn't at home but officers looked through a window and saw a bicycle similar to one recently stolen in Crawley.

Checks confirmed it was the same one.

Mr Hall said: "When officers returned later they found Keenan nearby and she spat into the eye and on the cheek of a female officer.

"She told the officer 'You have got TB now', which caused her considerable concern."

Paul Lutman, defending, said Keenan did not have TB and later apologised to the officer.

He said she had been a drug addict for seven years but was now drug-free.

The court heard Keenan was in breach of an 18-month suspended prison sentence for attempted burglary when the offences were committed.

Judge Guy Anthony jailed her for four months for the new offences and an additional four months for breaching the suspended sentence.