A SHOP worker was repeatedly hit in the face by a customer whose bank card had been declined while trying to buy tobacco.

Samantha Thompson, 33, entered the store in Maryport where the victim worked on December 1 last year, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the defendant attempted to purchase tobacco using a bank card on her phone but it wouldn’t work on the machine.

Thompson “stormed out” and slammed the door. She returned with a bank card but it wouldn’t work and the card was declined.

She slammed the card on the counter, shouting, “This is men’s fault. Men rule the world.”

Thompson attempted to grab the tobacco from the counter but the victim intervened. Thompson then struck her to the face and threw punches to the head area.

She punched the victim again before storming out of the store.

Ms Fee said the victim had been “doing her job in the shop” when she had been hit in the face repeatedly.

Thompson remained silent throughout police interview.

A further incident took place on March 23 after the defendant called police. When officers arrived at her address, she refused to let them inside.

She was arrested for failing to attend biometric appointments with police.

After arriving at the police station, Thompson spat at the custody officer and shouted obscenities at her.

A statement read to the court from the officer said she had never been spat at by an individual in her 21 years as a custody officer.

Thompson had to be fitted with a ‘spit hood’ to prevent her from spitting at the officers.

Ms Fee said it was an ‘unpleasant incident’ to be spat at in the face by somebody.

Thompson, of Queen Street, Maryport, pleaded guilty to assault by beating, attempted theft from a shop and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

John Cooper, defending, said: “There are some significant mental health issues. She has an IQ of 145 and is a member of MENSA.

“During lockdown, she had some sort of mental breakdown.

“She phoned the police to come round then wouldn’t let them into the property.”

MORE FROM COURT: Man admits possessing and distributing indecent images of children

Passing sentence, magistrates said the video footage was “particularly disturbing”.

Thompson was given a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 20-week curfew, to run daily from 6pm to 6am.

The defendant tutted when she was told she must pay £200 in compensation to the shop worker and £100 in compensation to the police officer.

She must also pay £85 costs.