A WOMAN told a Bournemouth supermarket security guard to “go back to your own country” before spitting at him in a vile hate crime.

Chelsie O’Donegan was involved in the altercation at the Tesco Express in Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne, after she was confronted for trying to leave the shop without paying for items.

O’Donegan, of Markham Road, Bournemouth, avoided an immediate prison sentence at Poole Magistrates’ Court for the incident, which took place more than two years ago.

The 27-year-old was also being sentenced for the assault of a shopkeeper’s cousin and theft of their mobile phone at Crescent Food Hall in Boscombe 10 days later, a shoplifting offence at a store in London in July last year, three counts of failing to surrender to custody having been on bail and one offence of failing to provide a sample for a drug test while in custody.

Prosecuting, Leah Dillon said the defendant went into the Tesco Express store on the morning of August 11, 2020. She was approached by a member of staff about not paying for items and the security guard was called over.

In the altercation that followed O’Donegan told the security guard to “go back to your own country” and “go **** yourself”.

“She then walked out and spat at him,” Ms Dillon said.

The court heard the security guard was able to block the spittle by putting his clipboard in front of his face.

Ten days later the defendant and her partner became involved in an altercation at the Crescent Food Hall in Christchurch Road with the owner and their cousin.

Bournemouth Echo:

O’Donegan struck the owner’s cousin with her elbow, causing him to feel pain in his left eye.

“During that contact she had stolen his mobile phone,” Ms Dillon said.

On July 29 last year the defendant stole £172 worth of aftershave from Bentalls Store in Kingston before failing to provide a sample for a drug test in custody the following day.

O’Donegan was found guilty in absence at a trial last year for the two assaults by beating, one of which was racially aggravated, the mobile phone theft and racially aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour. She pleaded guilty to all other matters.

Paul Legg, mitigating, said his client had been a heroin addict at the time of the offences. He said the offences were all similar with links to shoplifting.

Mr Legg said some time had elapsed since she offended and her recent experience remanded in custody had been difficult.

District Judge David Bolton committed the defendant to prison for 24 weeks, suspended for 12 months, with a requirement to carry out 30 days of rehabilitation activity.

She was also required to pay compensation of £150 to the security guard and £100 to the victim in the Boscombe incident.

If you are interested in court and crime news, stay up to date with all our latest updates in our dedicated Facebook group. To find out more and to join click here.