A WOMAN punched a security guard after he banned her from a Leominster supermarket.

Kelly Michelle Birch said 'now have me for assault' after punching Morrisons security guard Robert Harris to his face.

The 36-year-old, of Hopyard Close, Leominster pleaded guilty at Hereford Magistrates Court on Thursday to assault by beating.

Claire Linehan, prosecuting said that at 5pm on May 24, Mr Harris was working at the supermarket on Barons' Cross Road when the incident happened.

"Birch was seen walking past the flower display, she was approached by the security guard and asked to leave the store," said Ms Lineham.

"She refused and continued to shop before using the self-service till. Mr Harris contacted the store manager who also asked Birch to leave.

"The defendant started shouting and became abusive towards Mr Harris and was then witnessed driving off. The victim then saw an ex-colleague and went outside the store to look at a motorbike.

The defendant came back into the carpark and parked in a parent and toddler space. She got out of the vehicle and walked across to them before punching Mr Harris to his face with her right hand.

"Birch was pulled away and restrained by the manager before leaving the area."

The defendant agreed to attend a voluntary interview the next day and said that she knew the victim and that they were originally friends.

She added the she had been having ongoing issues with Mr Harris at Morrisons for between the last 18 months and two years.

"Birch said that Mr Harris follows her around the store every time she went in thinking she was shoplifting even though she claims she was not," added Ms Linehan.

"On May 24, Mr Harris told her to leave and that she wouldn't get served. Birch told him that she wasn't banned and instead went to the self-service checkout and purchased items."

Philip Cornell, mitigating, said that as Birch was driving away she noticed a blue and silver moped parked nearby and noticed the security guard going towards it.

"A few days before a similar moped had swerved at her on the street," added Mr Cornell.

"This made her very cross and in her view Mr Harris had been antagonising towards her. She accepts punching him and afterwards said now do me for assault."

Birch was ordered to pay a £75 fine, £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.