Three teenagers arrested Hitchin Hertfordshire coughing in pensioner’s face black eye

Three teenagers are arrested after ‘coughing’ on elderly couple: Police detain male trio following row that left woman in her 70s with a black eye

  • Teens aged 16, 18 and 19 approached the elderly couple in Hitchin on Friday 
  • One is believed to have coughed in their faces before a passer-by intervened
  • The altercation left the woman with a black eye and all three were arrested 
  • UK Government warns people to stay 6ft apart amid coronavirus outbreak
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Three teenagers were arrested after one of them ‘coughed in an elderly couple’s faces’ and left one of them with a black eye.

The three young men, aged 19, 18 and 16, approached the elderly pair in the market town of Hitchin, Hertfordshire on Friday. 

One of them is believed to have coughed in their faces before an altercation ensued that left the woman, who is in her seventies, with a black eye.

They were arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm, affray and criminal damage after the Government warned that walking within six feet of an elderly or vulnerable person could put them in mortal danger of getting coronavirus. 

Hertfordshire Police said the elderly woman was taken to hospital for a check-up and later discharged.

Three teenagers were arrested after one of them ‘coughed in an elderly couple’s faces’ and left one of them with a black eye in Hitchin, Hertfordshire (file image used) on Friday

The woman’s vehicle was also damaged in the incident in the Paynes Park area of the town. 

A man who intervened in the brawl also suffered bruising, police added. 

The suspects were questioned and released under investigation. The force called for anyone with information to contact them.