A WOMAN is accused of biting two supermarket workers who were trying to stop her shoplifting.

Leanne Croke-Loveridge of Newtown Road, Ronkswood, Worcester appeared over videolink at the city magistrates court on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old did not enter pleas to two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at the Tesco store in Warndon Villages on October 23 last year and theft of £799 of groceries on the same date. She was represented at the hearing by Gary Harper.

Ralph Robyns-Landricombe, prosecuting, said the two members of staff suffered the injuries while attempting to detain the defendant.

The prosecutor said: "The case concerns the defendant having bitten two members of staff in Tesco as a result of their attempts to detain her taking a trolley full of items."

He said the case was not suitable for summary trial at the magistrates court and would need to be heard at the crown court, a view shared by the magistrates.

One of the alleged victims is said to have suffered deep and superficial abrasions as a result of the bite, the other to have suffered superficial abrasions.

The case will next be heard at Worcester Crown Court on September 2. Croke-Loveridge was granted unconditional bail to appear at that hearing.