A woman who verbally abused staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn, staff has been jailed.

Claire Rainbird, 42 of St James Drive, Downham Market was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison when she appeared before King’s Lynn Magistrates court last Wednesday.

Rainbird was charged with racially aggravated abuse, use of threatening and abusive behaviour and assaulting a police officer following an incident at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 31.

During the incident she was verbally abusive towards two separate members of staff, using foul and offensive language towards them. She racially abused a female staff member who was attempting to discharge her, when the victim called for the police.

Railbird continued to be offence until officers arrived and then assaulted the officer whilst he was arresting her.

PC Natalie Garrard said: “This incident was unacceptable and saw nursing staff suffered verbal abuse whilst only trying to do their job. This case shows we take a zero tolerance to hate crime and abuse of hospital staff.”