A CHESTER woman who stole lager from a supermarket and assaulted a security guard has been told to carry on making positive changes to her life.

Charlotte Whitham, 32, and of Lorne Street in Chester, pleaded guilty to the theft of cans of lager from Waitrose in Boughton and assaulting Murshed Hussain in the ensuing scuffle to stop her leaving on June 25 this year.

She appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 26.

Magistrates heard that she entered the store and grabbed the alcohol, costing around £27.50, concealed them and tried to leave without paying.

She was challenged by Mr Hussain and the pair scuffled, leaving the security guard with marks on his neck.

Prosecutor Valeriya Tonkinson added that the defendant had previous assault convictions, when she was a youth, including racially-aggravated offences.

Selina Woodward, defending, told the court that her client was a recovering alcoholic who had been made homeless at the time of offending because she left an abusive relationship.

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She added Whitham had fallen in with other homeless people and despite a long period of abstinence, began drinking again and targeted the store for alcohol.

Ms Woodward added that her client was ‘a bit of a mess’ at the time of the offence but has since found herself permanent accommodation and was taking steps to re-start her recovery from alcohol addiction.

The court also heard that the defendant is also making positive steps to return to work.

Sentencing her, Richard Wallace – chairman of the bench – told Whitham to carry on with her positive recovery and ordered her to pay Waitrose £27.50 and Mr Hussain £50.

He added: “We’re only taking that path and no more because we’ve heard that you’re trying to get your life in order.

“Another court on a similar charge wouldn’t be so lenient and would be looking at more.

“It sounds like things are going on a better track now and we hope that continues.”

Whitham was also not required to pay any costs to court.