A TEENAGE girl described as a persistent offender has been given a chance to reform after she admitted being involved in a slanging match with a shop assistant.

The 15-year-old pleaded guilty to causing harassment, alarm or distress at the One Stop Shop on Sheldon Road, Chippenham, on March 10.

In Chippenham Youth Court on Tuesday, Tim Hammick, defending, said the shop assistant had told the girl to leave the shop because she thought she was banned from entering it.

"The assistant told her to get out and a slanging match began between them. She received abuse back from the shop assistant herself," he said.

Mr Hammick said the girl had an abysmal role model and her mother never went to court with her.

"It is an awful waste that she has not had a proper education. She wants to go to college in September and she is a very bright girl," he said.

A Social Services representative said the girl was doing well in her supportive lodgings. The girl told the court: "I like it there. I am moving on and going somewhere now."

The magistrates said they were giving her a conditional discharge and putting a lot of trust in her to behave herself.