Andrea Robinson launched a tirade of abuse at staff and shoppers in the Sainsbury's store, in Murray Street, Hartlepool.

She was on an extended suspended sentence for an assault when she committed her latest offence.

Robinson had been slapped with a community order for a theft offence at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court just hours before going to the store after taking a cocktail of wine and 20 temazepam tablets.

After she was arrested she bit custody assistant Jemma Warren, causing reddening to the officer's arm.

The 31-year-old was told she was facing jail at an earlier hearing, but avoided being locked up when justices instead made her the subject of an 18-month community order with supervision, alcohol treatment and training and education sessions.

Magistrates' bench chairman Sandra Mason warned Robinson, of York Road, Hartlepool, who the court previously heard breached her Asbo 11 times: "You need to take advantage of the opportunities being afforded you today because if you come back into court again it could be a totally different ball game."

Robinson, had been made the subject of a two-year Asbo in January last year after causing a nuisance to the public under the influence of alcohol.

She admitted assault and breaching the Asbo on Friday, November 27.
Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, said police were called to the store at 5.10pm following a report of a drunken woman refusing to leave.

Mrs Hesse said Robinson was leaning on the till and pointing her finger at a staff member, while shocked customers watched.

She added: "She was shouting, but due to being drunk, her speech was slurred and unrecognisable."The court heard Robinson was escorted from the shop and into the back of a police van.

"Upon being searched at the police station, she became aggressive and bit Jemma Warren, a custody assistant, on the right forearm, causing reddening and discomfort."

John Relton, mitigating, said Robinson's offending arose from mental health issues and substance abuse.

He added: "She had a cocktail of prescribed and unprescribed medication and alcohol and areas of black holes as far as her recollection is concerned."

Mr Relton said Robinson has a hospital appointment pending for neurological problems and described her as "a work in progress".

"Simply to incarcerate her is rarely the right answer," he added.