A MAN suspected of stealing food from Greggs spat pie in the face of a security guard.

Blackburn magistrates heard the Mall security officer had already asked Saliou Diaw to "back off" because he didn't know if he had Covid.

Diaw, 32, of Islington House, Great Bolton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Matthew Loftus on March 27 and theft of coffee worth £30 from B and M Bargains on Tuesday.

He was jailed for 16 weeks after the court was told the latest offence put him in breach of a suspended prison sentence.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Mr Loftus had gone to assist colleagues after a report of a man stealing from Greggs in the Mall.

"The defendant became aggressive when he was confronted," said Miss Allan.

"He became abusive and was told to stop mouthing off and just go."

Miss Allan said Diaw got into Mr Loftus' face and the security guard put his hand on his chest and told him to keep his distance.

"He continued to approach the aggrieved and then spat a mouth full of food at him," said Miss Allan.

She said Diaw was on bail for that offence when he went into B and M Bargains and stole the jars of coffee.

He was confronted by staff and there was a scuffle before he was detained and the items recovered.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client took a realistic view in respect of the suspended sentence which was only imposed last week.

He said his client was estranged from his father, who lives in Darwen, and had drifted to Blackburn where he came under the influence of a group of people who encouraged him to drink and take spice.

"He believes the only way he can break the cycle is to have a period in custody," said Mr Taylor.

"He doesn't then want to come back to Blackburn, he wants to get away from these people."

Mr Taylor said the assault charge followed his client being accused of something he hadn't done.

"He accepts he had a piece of pie in his mouth and he spat it towards the security guard," said Mr Taylor.