Jail for man who assaulted and spat at shop workers, claiming he had coronavirus

A man who assaulted three shop workers in Burwell has been jailed for 26 weeks.

Benjamin Seaton, 30, was arrested at the scene from the Co-Op in North Street, Burwell on 12 April for attacking staff and spitting in the face of the store manager.

Seaton claimed he had coronavirus as officers took him into custody.

“This was a nasty incident that was frightfully upsetting for members of the public going about their daily business and for the shop staff who were doing their bit in supporting the local community,” said Sgt Mark Rabel of Cambridgeshire Police.

Seaton pleaded guilty to ten charges, including six counts of assault by beating, theft, breaching a restraining order and two counts of damaging property, at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on 13 April.

The court sentenced him to a total of 26 weeks in prison.