A WOMAN blew cigarette smoke in a shopkeeper's face and then threw the cigarette at him in a dispute over her change.

Blackburn magistrates heard Rebecca Stevenson the spat at the shop owner before picking up a sweatshirt and a pair of sun glasses and leaving without paying for them.

Stevenson, 24, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assaulting Usman Bahi and theft of a sweatshirt and sunglasses belonging to him.

She was jailed for 10 weeks and a further four weeks for being in breach of a suspended sentence order.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said Stevenson had been into the Welcome Store on Northgate, Blackburn, and purchased some butane gas.

She left but returned shortly after and queried the change she had been given.

"She became unreasonably aggressive and was asked to leave but refused," said Mr Parker.

"She lit a cigarette and leaned against the counter before blowing smoke at Mr Bahi and throwing the cigarette at him. She then spat in his direction and some of it hit him."

Mr Parker said the aggrieved followed Stevenson after she left his shop with the items and updated police as to where she was.

Peter King, defending, said is client had an addiction to butane gas for about 18 months.

"She has a temper issue which is aligned to her addiction issues," said Mr King.

Imposing a prison sentence District Judge Alex Boyd said the assault by spitting was "particularly disgusting."