A WOMAN threatened to stab a Sainsbury’s worker with a hypodermic needle, a court heard.

Melanie Shawcross, 42, threatened the male member of staff at the Trowbridge supermarket after he challenged her about stealing alcohol.

Graham Dono, prosecuting, told Swindon Magistrates’ Court the woman said: “I’ve got a needle in here and if you come near me I’ll stab you. I’ll f***ing stab you.”

Shawcross then pulled the hypodermic syringe from her bag and threatened the man with it. He backed away.

Appearing before the justices on Saturday, Shawcross, of Roundstone Street, Trowbridge, admitted theft and common assault. She also admitted stealing from supermarkets on January 16, 2021, and June 24, 2020.

Emma Thacker, defending, said her client had been struggling with a heroin addiction for some time. Her addiction had “reared its ugly head” since 2019.

Despite having little memory of the incidents, she took responsibility for her crimes. She was engaging with drug addiction service Turning Point.

Magistrates imposed an 18 month community order with a six month drug rehabilitation programme and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Shawcross must pay £305 compensation to Sainsbury’s and £50 to the staff member she threatened.