A WOMAN with nearly 100 previous convictions was jailed after threatening to bite a community support officer in a supermarket and then spitting at a policeman.

Michaela Johnson committed the first offence at Iceland on Commercial Street, Newport, in front of shocked customers and children.

She had threatened to bite PCSO Damien Soo and staff member Wayne Hamlett after losing her temper at the self-service tills.

Lowri Patterson told Cardiff Crown Court how police were called at Johnson arrested at around 4.30pm on Wednesday, November 10.

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She was taken into custody and assaulted a constable at the Ystrad Mynach station by throwing toilet water at him from her cell before spitting at him.

The defendant had also abused him with vile foul language.

Johnson, 43, of Dolphin Street, Pill, Newport, was on bail at the time of these offences after having pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon – an adjustable spanner.

That related to an incident involving her and another woman on Thursday, September 23.

It had started at the car park of the former Kwik Save store on the city’s Commercial Road.

Miss Paterson said: “The defendant pulled out an adjustable spanner and swung it at the complainant.

“They were in the middle of the road at this point.

“The defendant claimed she had been bullied and assaulted by her the day before.”

Johnson also admitted assaulting an emergency worker, public disorder and being in breach of a suspended jail sentence.

The court was told she had 94 previous convictions for 185 offences.

They included many for violence and three for weapons offences.

Laura Shepherd, representing the defendant, asked for her client to be given credit for her guilty pleas.

She added how Johnson’s life had been blighted by addiction and mental health problems.

The judge, Recorder Duncan Bould, told the defendant: “You have got to control your behaviour.

“The court cannot overlook this repeated offending.”

Johnson was jailed for 24 weeks and ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge following her release from prison.

The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the adjustable spanner.