Thief rifled through the pockets of jackets in the staff room of a Greenock pub

Tracy Glancy, 34, stole a purse and a passport at the town's James Watt bar shortly after midnight.

She tried to flee but was followed by workers who recovered the items from her and called police.

Prosecutor David Glancy told the sheriff court: "There was a female near the changing area and CCTV was quickly reviewed and showed the accused near jackets belonging to staff.

"She remained on the premises and then left and was followed and challenged by staff.

"A purse and a passport that belonged to others were retrieved.

"She told officers that she had been needing the toilet."

Glancy, of Sir Michael Street, committed the offence on April 6.

She also pleaded guilty to an allegation of heroin possession dating back to last July, and a shouting and swearing breach of the peace four months earlier.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher told the court that his client's three children are looked after by their grandparents, adding: "Miss Glancy has to address a number of issues in her life.

"Up until the last year or so she had been out of trouble since 2010.

"Her previous difficulties have revisited her, so to speak."

Mr Gallagher urged Sheriff Derek Hamilton to have Glancy assessed for a drug treatment and testing order instead of imposing a prison sentence on her.

Sheriff Hamilton described the latest offence at the pub as 'rather nasty'.

He told Glancy: "You're in danger of going into custody for a fairly lengthy period.

"I will get a drug treatment and testing order assessment report, but there are no promises as to what happens after that."

The case is due to call again on June 19.