A WOMAN who stood begging in the middle of Southampton roads caused cars to swerve out of the way, a court heard.

Clare Louise Munn stood in the middle of Bitterne Road West during the early hours of the morning, prompting numerous calls to police concerning her welfare.

When drivers stopped, Munn, 45, of Ellwood Avenue, would then ask for them “either for money or lifts”, a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) solicitor told the court.

Officers then attended the scene and told her to leave the area, however, she returned. later in the day.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that another police officer in an unmarked patrol car then went to investigate.

On arrival, Munn stepped out in front of him, and she was arrested.

The CPS solicitor said that Munn was “at it again” just over a month later but this time in Shirley High Street.

Again, she caused a car to swerve to avoid hitting her.

When two officers saw her in the middle of the road they rushed over to her.

Munn said she was fine and walked away.

She later became aggressive and shouted obscenities at the officer, which are too explicit to publish.

She was put in the back of a police van and spat at a constable.

Appearing before magistrates, she was charged with begging in a public place, two counts of wilfully obstructing a highway failing to comply with a community protection notice and assaulting an emergency worker.

She pleaded guilty to the offences which happened on June 17 and July 29.

Munn also admitted to breaching a 12-month conditional discharge she had been given for two counts of theft.

The court heard how the defendant has issues with class A drugs and mental health.

Her case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and she is next due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on September 22 this year.

Until then, Munn is subject to a curfew between 10pm and 7am.