Hamilton shoplifter brandished scissors and lunged at assistant who tried to stop her
Melissa McKee threatened staff in another Hamilton store on the same day, the town's sheriff court was told.
A shoplifter brandished scissors and lunged at an assistant who tried to stop her.
Melissa McKee threatened staff in another Hamilton store on the same day, the town's sheriff court was told.
McKee, 46, admitted stealing groceries and assaulting a male employee at Morrisons Daily in Almada Street on New Year's Day.
Lewis Devoy, prosecuting, said the assistant spotted her stuffing cheese, butter and other items into her bag and walk towards the door.
The fiscal stated: "He approached and pulled at the bag but the accused shouted 'I'm not stealing. Do you want to see stealing?'
"She then grabbed bottles of washing up liquid and laundry pods, placing them in her bag along with a quantity of chocolate bars.
"The assistant moved towards her again but McKee pulled scissors from her pocket and lunged at him.
"He backed off immediately and she shouted something and made off.
"She was traced by CCTV operators in Clydesdale Street. The scissors and a bag of groceries valued at £89 were recovered."
McKee also admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at Tesco Express, Hillhouse Road, two hours before the Morrisons incident.
A member of staff had asked her to leave and she responded by picking up a crate of cider.
Mr Devoy told the court: "She put her hand in her pocket and told two employees she had a pair of scissors and needles.
"This caused significant alarm to the staff members who backed off.
"The accused barged past towards the exit doors but dropped the cider.
"One of the employees locked the door as McKee left. The accused then turned, shouted, swore and kicked the door before making off."
Defence agent Scott Jones said McKee was at a "low ebb" at the time. She was in temporary homeless accommodation and was abusing substances, but he conceded: "Her behaviour was inexcusable."
Mr Jones said his client has been in custody since her arrest in January, and is making use of health services in prison. She was not seeking a social work supervision order as an alternative to a prison sentence.
Sheriff John Speir said it was a "sad and tragic" case and he wanted to help McKee, but given her attitude there was no alternative to custody.
McKee was jailed for 12 months, backdated to January 3.
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