A WOMAN went into TK Maxx in Blackburn selected a laundry basket and proceeded to fill it with more than £600 worth of children’s clothing.

Blackburn magistrates heard when Geraldine Benson was stopped and as she left the store she bit the store detective twice on the arm.

Benson, 42, of Balshaw Lane, Leyland, pleaded guilty to theft from TK Maxx and assaulting Daniel Jones. She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 15 days' rehabilitation and a curfew between 9pm and 7am for 16 weeks. She was ordered to pay £50 compensation to Mr Jones.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Mr Jones had watched Benson as she filled the basket and stopped her as she left the store. When he tried to take her back in she bit him twice on the arm and then tried to bite him a third time.

Neil Howard, defending, said his client had a long-standing problem with heroin but had been clean for four years. He said the theft had been of clothing for her children which she could not afford to buy.

He said her eldest son was in the army, something of which she was incredibly proud, and she had three other dependent children.

The chairman of the magistrates said they had heard of Balshaw’s pride for her son. “You have three children. You need to make them proud of you,” added the chairman.