A WOMAN kicked out at cops after naloxone was given to her when she was found under the influence of drugs in Ayr town centre.

Nikki Garrett, 31, admitted threatening abusive behaviour and assaulting a police constable after she was given the drug – which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose – at Burns Statue Square on June 30 last year.

The procurator fiscal depute told a hearing at the town’s sheriff court: “At 8pm the accused was at the locus heavily under the influence.

“An ambulance was contacted. Naloxone was administered. The accused became verbally abusive and was repeatedly warned regarding her conduct. She was taken to Ayr Hospital for assessment.

“She began lashing out and then kicking [the officer].”

Tony Currie, defending Garrett, said: “She had a very difficult past and has long-standing addiction issues.

“There was a relapse in her use of Valium.

“I do note the aggressive conduct came after she was given the particular substance.”

He added this had caused ‘irritability’ and she had been having issues with accommodation.

Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart deferred sentence for reports.

Last year Police Scotland announced it was to become the first force in the UK to issue all its officers with naloxone kits; at the end of 2022, the force said the kits had been used more than 100 times in the first few months of the scheme.