Shoplifter bit staff member who tried to stop her

9:30pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

A SHOPLIFTER who stole a bottle of wine escaped after she bit and scratched the store worker trying to stop her.

Vicki Glisson of Ennerdale Close, Warndon, admitted assaulting Christopher George, a shop worker at Costcutter in Ambleside Drive, Worcester.

She also pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of the shop’s wine valued at £5.99 the same day and failing to answer bail on Friday, July 11.

District Judge Bernard Beyley said: “I’m sure you understand the impact on the person trying to stop you. For his trouble he’s been bitten by you and that is unacceptable.”

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, told Worcester Magistrates that Mr George Glisson off at the store’s doorway after she had concealed the wine in the hood of a pushchair and challenged her to either pay for the wine or put it back.

Mr Jones said: “She refused and told him to get out of the way when he blocked the exit. She then tried to barge him out of the way, ending up biting him on his arm to get away.”

Mr George had a one-inch (2.5cm) bite mark and scratches on his arm which drew blood, although Barry Newton, defending, said the bite had been described as a “pinch mark” by police officers.

Although Glisson, aged 27, escaped after the incident on Sunday, March 9, she was later arrested and charged. She told officers she had gone to the shop but could not remember the incident.

Glisson then failed to turn up for her court hearing earlier this month because her two-year-old son was ill, according to Mr Newton.

He said: “Her son had gastroenteritis and she had to take him to the doctors. She tells me she told the court.”

For all offences, Mr Beyley gave Glisson a 12-month community order with a supervision requirement and told her to do 80 hours unpaid work to help deal with her “drink problem”. He also told her to pay £75 compensation to Mr George and £60 costs.

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