Church man spat in the face of a shop assistant when she challenged him as he tried to steal a case of lager

Blackburn magistrates heard Peter Alexander Harling immediately regretted what he had done and told police he had been in a 'bad place'.

Harling, 29, of Walmsley Close, Church, pleaded guilty to assaulting Carlene Coates and theft of a pack of beer worth £8.

He was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £50 compensation, £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Harling put a case of lager in his rucksack and left the One Stop Store in Accrington. Miss Coates followed him out and challenged him. He handed over the lager but then spat in her face.

"He was detained by members of the public and the police called," said Mrs Yates. "He told then he wanted to apologise and that he felt terrible about what he had done. He said he was an alcoholic and had no money."

Scott Parker, defending, said his client was deeply upset by the way he had behaved.

"He is engaging with Inspire and they have arranged a residential detox course for him," said Mr Parker. "Hopefully that will have a beneficial impact on his life."