Shoplifter who bit store worker is told to behave
Lout lashed out after stealing food
A shoplifter sunk her teeth into a supermarket worker after being caught redhanded.
Samantha Struthers, 24, attacked the shop assistant after she was caught swiping food and clothes from Asda.
She lost the plot after being challenged when she was spotted helping herself to stock.
The student admitted theft and assault when the case called at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Defence lawyer Matthew Lynch insisted his client had fallen on hard times and was stealing to feed herself.
He said: “She had a difficult upbringing. She had been in a relationship, but they had fallen out – she was on a downer.
“She went into the store with a view to taking groceries to eat. “The clothing was to sell. “She was caught literally red-handed.
“She is both embarrassed and ashamed and has attended social work for intensive support.”
Struthers lashed out after pinching from the Church Road supermarket.
She bit Kim Ferguson on the body after she was confronted about shoplifting on May 17.
The victim fell to the ground during the attack before police caught up with the thug.
The court heard she is a student and lives alone and had turned to crime after the breakdown of her previous relationship.
Struthers is a college student and earns around £500 a month.
Sheriff Linda Nicholson agreed to defer sentence on her to see if she can be of good behaviour.
She warned the lout she must keep out of trouble for six months or face severe consequences.
Sheriff Nicholson said: “This is a serious matter, not only the theft, but, even more seriously, you assaulted a person simply doing their job.
“You seem to have fully accepted responsibility and shown genuine remorse. “But this was inexcusable.” Struthers, of nearby Dalmeny Drive, has been ordered to return for sentencing on June 5.