A Lidl worker was punched in the face by a regular customer after a row over plastic bags.
Lorraine Burridge, 40, was seen helping herself to carrier bags in Lidl, Rock Ferry, and Liverpool Magistrates Court heard how the incident happened after she was told staff give out bags. Victim, Kerri Mills, said Burridge started "being mouthy" and explained the reason staff give out the bags is so people don't steal them.
An argument started as Burridge said Ms Mills accused her of stealing and she punched her in the face under her left eye.
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Ms Mills told the court : "She said I was accusing her of stealing them. I said I wasn’t accusing, I was explaining. She was standing the normal distance away but came closer and punched me in the face under my left eye
"I pushed her away to ensure she could not punch me again. I felt a colleague leaning over my shoulder to stop her and I walked away and stood behind the till and then went to the back of the store."
The court heard Burridge was a regular customer at the store and was arrested on January 11. When interviewed she said she went to pick a bag up and Ms Mills accused her of stealing them.
She said: "I lost control because of personal circumstances, my dad died and my sister died last year." She said she “hated herself” for what she had done but denied hitting her in the face but said she had thrown a punch which did not connect.
Burridge added she had not taken her medication and had mental health issues. Burridge, of Aldersgate, Rock Ferry, pleaded guilty to assault by beating on December 22 last year.
The court heard the defendant has previous convictions including assault but has been out of trouble for 17 years. Her lawyer Leigh Irlam said Burridge was "extremely embarrassed and mortified by her behaviour.
"No-one should go to work and be assaulted by a customer. She can only say she is sorry and does not intend to behave like this again."
Burridge, who is signed off sick, was referred for therapy but is on a long waiting list, she added. The bench imposed a nine month community order and ordered her to carry out 10 days rehabilitation activities, pay costs and a fine totalling £300 plus £100 compensation to her victim.
