Man, 60, is jailed for four months after deliberately coughing in the face of another shopper during row at shop tills
- Gary Saunders ‘weaponised’ his cough while queuing at the till of a local shop
- Saunders of Southsea, Hampshire admitted common assault in court yesterday
- The incident happened in Cornucopia in Southsea on April 14
- Saunders, 60, was jailed for four months at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court
A 60-year-old man has been jailed for four months for ‘weaponised coughing’ in a shopper’s face.
Gary Saunders, of Southsea, Hampshire, was arrested after the incident inside the Cornucopia corner shop near his home on April 14.
He was sentenced at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to common assault.
Gary Saunders, pictured, admitted ‘weaponising’ a cough during a row at his local corner shop in Southsea, Hampshire. Saunders, 60, was jailed for four months yesterday at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court
The incident took place at the Cornucopia store in Southsea, Hampshire on April 14
A Hampshire police spokesman said: ‘The 60-year-old entered the store, initially queuing two metres behind his victim, who was being served at the till.
‘Saunders then stepped closer, with the man in front of him asking him to move back again.
‘Saunders became abusive towards the man, threatening him before deliberately aiming an exaggerated cough at his face.’
Pc Mark Pilsworth said: ‘Coughing in anyone’s face is disgusting, but to weaponise coughing at a time like this is thoroughly despicable and will not be tolerated.
‘Saunders’ actions caused unnecessary concern for his victim, when he had simply been asked to ensure he was not getting too close.
‘I hope this sentence serves as a warning to everyone that we will take action if you choose to behave in this manner.’
Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man who said he had coronavirus after spitting at a police officer has pleaded guilty to common assault.
William Cawley, 23, from Uxbridge, west London is awaiting sentence after he admitted spitting at a bus driver and a police officer on April 20
William Cawley spat at a bus driver when he was told to enter through the correct door at Uxbridge bus station in west London at 5pm on Monday April 20, the Metropolitan Police said.
Police gave chase and he was detained in Cocks Yard, arrested on suspicion of common assault and taken into custody, where he spat at an officer and made threats of violence, including saying he had Covid-19.
He was further arrested on suspicion of common assault on an emergency worker.
Cawley, from Uxbridge, appeared at the town’s Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault.
Detective Chief Inspector Fiona Martin, of Roads and Transport Policing, said: ‘Spitting at someone is a disgusting thing to do in normal circumstances but, at this uncertain time of Covid-19, it is offensive, reprehensible and dangerous.
‘Key workers such as bus drivers are essential to keeping London moving and they are currently doing this under very difficult circumstances.
‘They, alongside our officers who are all working hard as ever to keep London safe, do not come to work to be spat at.
‘I hope the fact that Cawley has been remanded until sentencing shows that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and will be dealt with great severity at all times.’
Cawley was remanded to appear at the same court for sentencing on Wednesday April 29.