The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was later prosecuted over her behaviour and pleaded guilty before the city’s Youth Court to a common assault of the female steward and an assault on the police officer.

The court heard that the incident happened in the Carlisle World Cup fan zone during the screening of the England v Argentina semi-final game on July 15.

Thinking that the girl was drunk, the steward intervened because she had welfare concerns for the teenager – though the girl disputed the suggestion that she was under the influence.

This led to a struggle, during which the girl was seen kicking out, the court heard.

Two police officers then got involved, with one of them handcuffing the girl. After being removed from the area, the girl was aggressive, biting a female officer on the leg and appearing to headbutt the second officer, it was said.

Adele Graham, defending, said the girl denied headbutting the officer. Any contact from her head was accidental as the officer tried to move her head, said the lawyer.

“She is genuinely remorseful for her actions,” said Miss Graham.

The girl accepted biting the police officer.

“It was a very busy and overwhelming environment for [the defendant],” continued the lawyer.

“In the noise, the crowd, and the heightened atmosphere, she was experiencing significant distress during this whole incident.” During the efforts to restrain the teenager, her top was accidentally pulled down and this also caused distress.

That aspect of the incident added to the girl’s sense of being overwhelmed but there was no deliberate intention to injure anybody, the court heard.

The teenager is currently being assessed for autism and ADHD – factors which are relevant, said Miss Graham. She added that the teenager had good family support.

The teenager’s mother said she was a good person, who loves spending time with her friends.

Magistrates imposed a six-month referral order, and ordered that there must be £100 compensation for the injured police officer and £25 for the steward.