A woman has been jailed after 'pretending to fall over' at a Superdrug store and 'exposing the emergency services and members of the public to risk' during the coronavirus crisis.
Louise Adam, 58, had already been hauled before the courts for assaulting a nurse and two security guards at the Royal Bolton Hospital on Saturday.
She was spared prison for that behaviour following a hearing on Monday, but was back out offending on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Now she's been locked up for 22 weeks.
Manchester Magistrates' Court heard that on Tuesday (April 7), at about 10.10am, Adam 'pretended to fall over' near the till area of Superdrug in Bolton, prosecutor Nick Smart said.
A shop worker called over her manager, who told Adam to 'get up'.
They decided to close the shutters due to 'heightened public anxiety' due to the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Smart said Adam did eventually get up.
The following morning, at about 10.45am, Adam was at the same store, where she was spotted by the same shop worker.
She told Adam, who again lay on the floor in the same area, that she was going to inform her manager.
A member of the public saw Adam on the floor and went over to provide some 'comfort'.
Police were called, and Adam was arrested.
At one point, she 'tried to get up and get away', but was grabbed by the officers.
Prosecutors said Adam made 'spitting noises', but accepted that 'no spit actually did come out of her mouth' onto the floor or towards the officer.
Defending, Gavin Clarke said Adam had previously been in the court facing 'different charges, but unfortunately very similar circumstances'.
He said her offending represented a 'cry for help', and that she has been suffering from mental health issues for a 'number of years'.
Adam has recently found herself 'isolated' and was struggling, the court heard.
Mr Clarke said: "Quite clearly this isn't normal behaviour."
Addressing Adam, District Judge Margaret McCormack said: "You do have a record and I accept you have had mental health difficulties.
"You have managed to stay away from the courts for a considerable period of time.
"That's no doubt why you were given the opportunity on Monday.
"Almost immediately afterwards here you are exposing the emergency services and members of the public to risk of harm by your behaviour, which was sustained."
Adam, of Haydock Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to one offence of causing a public nuisance.
