A DRUNKEN teen who yelled obscenities at Asda shoppers, stole wine and had to be wrestled to the ground by cops has avoided jail.

Delicia Wheeler, who despite being just 18-years-old has a list of 25 previous convictions, was told in no uncertain terms by magistrates that she could be locked up if she continued to offend.

Chairman of the bench Paul Gane said: "It will be custody if you breach the order.”

He added: “This really is your last chance to comply with probation.”

Swindon Magistrates’ Court was told Wheeler and a friend had been loitering at the front of the Asda store late on April 30.

As two women, an aunt and her niece, entered the shop at around 9.30pm they heard a voice shouting an obscene slur in their direction.

When they reached the tills, they became aware that they were being followed. The younger woman alerted a security guard. Wheeler was heard to say, inexplicably, “now you know how it feels”.

Prosecuting, James Burnham said: “This was scary for both ladies, being followed about and to be told now you know what it feels like.”

The security guard asked Wheeler and her friend to leave the store. They took their time, messing about and drinking from a bottle of wine.

When the store staff-member told them to stop, Wheeler was said to have yelled “f*** off”. “She said she was 18 and she could drink,” Mr Burnham added.

Police officers were called to the store: “The defendant said, ‘I’m not getting arrested.’” She refused to get to her feet and, when officers attempted to handcuff her, there was a short struggle.

Wheeler, of Magnolia Court, Pinehurst, pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of wine, resisting arrest and using abusive or disorderly behaviour.

Magistrates heard the teen had a lengthy list of previous convictions. Since November she has appeared before the courts on seven occasions on charges including assault and criminal damage. Mr Burnham said: “It’s a long list.”

Defending, Jonathan Lewis said his client had “drunk far too much for far too long”. He added: “She behaved under the influence of alcohol.”

Wheeler was in a relationship with the man with whom had been drinking in Asda: “The probation service does have concerns, because of her vulnerability.”

He asked magistrates to give his client time to make a success of a new community order, imposed on April 16. Probation officers had developed a new plan to “fully occupy her time”, Mr Lewis said: “The plan is to get her volunteering with horses and working with dogs.”

Jacqueline Reynolds of the probation service acknowledged magistrates were likely to be considering custody, as Wheeler had received three community orders in around two months. But she asked JPs to give her one more chance.

Magistrates added an extra 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days to her community order. But chairman of the bench Paul Gane said his colleagues had had “serious discussions” about whether to jail her. He glowered: “You don’t take any notice of community orders you just do what you like and continue to reoffend.”

Wheeler must pay an £85 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.