A relaxation therapist had to be placed in a police cell to "calm down" after losing her rag outside a nightclub, a court was told on Wednesday.

Sonya Perkins, 41, became abusive near the Fubar Club in Stirling City Centre.

Prosecutor Ann Orr said Perkins approached a group of taxi drivers waiting on a rank in Maxwell Place, which is near the club, at 12.50am.

She shouted at one of them: "Are you polis?"

Mrs Orr the the taxi man replied he was not a police officer.

The depute fiscal said: "The accused started to shout and swear at him and other taxi drivers."

Real police officers on duty nearby saw what was going on, and went to intervene "because of Perkins' abusive behaviour".

Mrs Orr added: "She was shouting and swearing at the taxi drivers there, and when the police arrived she began to become abusive towards them."

She kicked Police Sergeant Anton Stephenson "on the arms and legs" and when she was told she was being arrested she began to struggle, tensing her arms and kicking out to stop Sergeant Stephenson and a colleague from handcuffing her.

She eventually had to be placed in leg restraints, and was taken to Falkirk Police Station. In reply to caution and charge she said: "I don't even remember."

Sheriff William Gilchrist asked: "What was her condition?"

Mrs Orr replied: "She seems to have been intoxicated, but it says in the police report that she was taken to a police cell 'to calm down', not to sober up."

Perkins, of Forrester Street, Nottingham, who wept copiously in the dock, pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour, and to police assault. The incident occurred on September 18, 2015.

Alasdair Ross, defence agent, said: "Regrettably drink had indeed been taken to excess."

Mr Ross said Perkins had been in Scotland doing "some volunteer work".

He added: "She has been working recently, somewhat ironically, as a relaxation therapist.

"She presents as a lady who is thoroughly ashamed."

Fining her £300, Sheriff Gilchrist told Perkins: "You appear before me aged 41 as a first offender. It is regrettable to say the least that you find yourself in a criminal court.

"Clearly this occurred as a result of the amount of drink you had taken."