A woman got into an argument with an A&E receptionist before assaulting a nurse with her sun hat, a court heard.

Angela Shine, 47, went to Medway Maritime Hospital complaining of pain but got annoyed with the person on the front desk.

Shine stepped away and turned her back, but then struck a nurse with her sun hat.

Shine, of Maidstone Road, Chatham, was charged with common assault and pleaded guilty to the offence when she appeared before magistrates in Medway.

James Nichols, prosecuting, said: “She got into the argument with the receptionist and got annoyed.

“As she walked away from the desk she swung her hat around and it hit the nurse on the arm.”

Wayne Crowhurst, defending, said: “There are some mental health issues and she is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.

“The was no injury to the NHS staff member and my client is still getting treatment.”

Magistrates placed Shine on a 12-month conditional discharge.