Shoplifter banned from all Asda stores nationwide

Sunderland shoplifter has been banned from every Asda in the country for attacking a staff member at its South Tyneside superstore when she was being detained for theft.

Vickie Gillespie, 36, of Kidsgrove Square, Downhill, Sunderland, pushed a man into shelving as he supported security staff dealing with her outburst at the exit of the firm’s Boldon Colliery outlet.

She also slapped him in the face and spat at him – and threw items at other staff trying to deal with her, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

The court heard she flew off the handle after being stopped trying to leave with a trolley containing £257 of goods she had not paid for at around 10pm on Saturday, November 30, last year.

Prosecutor Keith Laidlaw said: “A security guard says that he was at work and sees from the CCTV system that she is bagging up Nescafe coffee and other goods. She made no attempt to pay.”

Mr Laidlaw said the victim was also at the store, adding: “He walks towards the exit door and sees that Mrs Gillespie has been stopped at the door and that the trolA ley had been taken from Mrs Gillespie. She said she had paid for the goods but couldn’t find the receipt. What he sees is that she tried to pull the trolley from security and tried to leave the store.”

He added that she pushed the staff member into shelving, adding: “He tried to leave but she flew at him and slapped him across the face and spat at him.”

Gillespie pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and an assault by beating.

She was handed a 12-month community order with a requirement of 15 rehabilitation days.