Lampe, of Church Stretton in Shropshire, had been drinking whisky, amaretto and lager prior to killing the animals on April 8, RSPCA prosecutor Roger Price told Telford Magistrates' Court.

She was living with her sister at the time of the incident, and had become agitated after fearing she was no longer welcome there.

After “yelling and swearing” she had taken scissors and a knife to her room, where the boa constrictor and a bull python were kept.

Mr Price said: "When her sister saw the defendant in her bedroom she had a boa constrictor under her top and was covered in blood.

"About three-quarters of the snake could be seen. The defendant was hysterical."