Robyn Jennifer Barber, of 44 Brynglas, admitted three charges of assaulting a police officer after she struggled and kicked out and spat at officers during the incident in the early hours of 8 April.
But magistrates heard that she had been the victim of an assault earlier in the night and had had a drink thrown over her which had left her upset and she had repeatedly apologised to the officers.
Prosecutor Rhian Jones said police officers were on duty at around 2am in Cardigan High Street where a crowd had built up after a bar had closed.
While there they saw Barber staring at another woman across the road before she asked officers to arrest her.
Barber, 23, then ran across the road and had to be restrained by officers who took her to the ground.
Ms Jones said Barber continued to struggle and lashed out, but after being warned about her behaviour Barber spat, hitting one officer in the face and another on the hand.
When she was put in the police van, Barber continued to struggle, hitting her head against the van wall.
She kicked out catching a PC in the stomach and a third PC suffered soreness to their hand after trying to stop Barber from injuring herself by banging her head on the van.
Defence solicitor Alan Lewis said Barber was very remorseful about what happened and had apologised within seconds of the incident.
He said that she suffered from a range of problems caused by a difficult childhood and had been drinking to excess following a close family bereavement. She was very highly regarded by people including staff at Coleg Ceredigion where she is a student, added Mr Lewis.
Barber was fined £360. She will pay compensation to the officers totalling £250 and costs totalling £115.