A MUM punched an M&S worker after being caught shoplifting.

Aimee Ward was spotted taking items from the shelves and placing them within her carrier bag at the Glasgow Fort supermarket on August 29, 2020.

The 26-year-old single mum left the shop without making any attempt to pay but had been caught by Robbie Watt, a member of the store's security staff.

When stopped by the employee, Ward threw the bag to the floor and started running.

A short foot chase took place and when approached by Watt, she punched him to the face.

The court heard that Watt was attempting to stop her from getting away, and the pair were engaged with each other for a number of seconds.

Ward’s defence solicitor explained that his client appeared before Glasgow Sheriff Court as a first offender.

She pleaded guilty to stealing a number of cosmetic items and assaulting the staff member by punching him.

The lawyer said: “She had recently experienced a family bereavement which caused her distress. She became involved in the incident and a short chase takes place.

“The security guard tries to grab her, and she accepts she punched him on the face. There was no injury.

“She was in a car crash in 2019 and receives personal independence payment. She is a single parent and receives benefits.

“Clearly withstanding a lack of record, you could deal with her by fine. If not, you could keep an eye on her by deferring sentence for good behaviour to see if this was a one-off incident.”

However, Sheriff Bernard Ablett deferred sentencing so a social work report could be prepared.

He said: “I would like to hear about her background before sentencing her.”

Ward, of Airdrie, will return to court on March 28.