A MUM who attacked airline staff and pushed a police officer has been spared jail.

Zoe Bell had gone on holiday with her then partner and children to Faro in Portugal, and was flying back to Southend Airport on September 6 last year.

The 38-year-old had been drinking before boarding the flight, and showed signs of intoxication as the plane was set to take off.

During the flight, she got into a heated argument with her partner and the cabin crew had to step in around 40 minutes.

Four members were involved at one time, and she struck one of them.

Eventually, her and her family were separated and things managed to calm down.

However, due to her behaviour and the stress that was caused, police boarded the plane as it landed in Southend.

Officers began to escort Bell off the plane, and she tried to say goodbye to her children, but when the police were insistent, she became frustrated again and pushed one of the officers.

This led to her being fully restrained and arrested.

In later police interviews, Bell said she did not remember what happened during much of the flight as she had been intoxicated.

Bell, of Upper Park Road, London, later admitted being drunk in an aircraft, assault by beating and assaulting an emergency worker.

She appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday for sentencing.

Mitigation for Bell previously told Judge Samantha Leigh that during the time of the incident her father was in poor health and his condition had recently deteriorated, resulting in her being under great pressure and stress.

Judge Leigh gave Bell a five month suspended prison sentence with 40 days rehabilitation. She will also be under curfew for four months between 7.30pm and 7am.