Shauna Collins and another woman were spotted pinching £20 worth of sandwiches from Greggs
A woman assaulted two security guards in front of shocked onlookers after stealing sandwiches from Greggs in Eldon Square.
Shauna Collins and another woman were spotted pinching £20 worth of sandwiches from the Newcastle city centre bakers on August 8 last year. But when security stepped in, the other woman launched an attack and threatened to bite him. When a second security guard intervened, Collins then joined in on the attack, which resulted in all four ending up on the floor in front of passing shoppers.
Collins, of Lisle Grove, Wallsend, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court this week to be sentenced for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of theft. She pleaded guilty to the offences at the hearing.
The court heard that Collins and her co-accused, who is currently in HMP Low Newton, walked into the Greggs and stole sandwiches. Jennifer McElvin, prosecuting, said: “They were spotted by a security guard who attempted to intervene. [The co-accused] began an attack and threatened to bite him. Another security guard then got involved. [The co-accused] assaulted him, as well as the defendant.”
When police arrived at the scene Collins, 30, was arrested, where she told them: “It was me, I pinched, not her.” CCTV of the incident showed Collins and her co-accused being wrestled to the ground in Eldon Square by security in front of shocked shoppers.
In a victim statement, the first security guard said he was spat and that the attack left him feeling angry and with “numerous bruising and soreness”. The second guard said he was struck by the defendant, who was “kicking out” and caused him “immediate pain”.
The court heard Collins gave a no comment interview to police and had 12 previous convictions for 14 offences. Her last three offences were for being drunk and disorderly.
Ian Cassidy, defending, said Collins – who already owes over £1,500 to the courts – “accepts her responsibility” and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He said Collins had previously been the victim of domestic violence and “drank more alcohol” in order to cope. He said: “This was one of those occasions.” He added that in his view, the force used by the security guards was “excessive” and that Collins has “no recollection” of spitting at the guards.
Source – Chronicle Live