Man jailed after spitting at Burwell Co-op staff while claiming to have Covid-19

A homeless man who spat in the face of staff at Burwell Co-op saying he had Covid-19 has been jailed for 26 weeks.

Benjamin Seaton barged his way into the North Street Co-op during its priority hour for NHS staff and vulnerable customers on Sunday (April 12).

The 30-year-old told stunned staff he was allowed to go into the supermarket because both he and his mother worked in the health service.

He then continued a tirade of abuse towards staff.

Store manager Steve Smith said: “He got in my face a few times. He spat in my face and in my mouth saying ‘I have Covid-19. You are going to die’.”

During the incident Seaton punched staff, spat at police officers, and threw bottles around.

Seaton pleaded guilty to ten charges at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Monday (April 13). He admitted six counts of assault by beating, to stealing beer, to breaching a restraining order, and to two counts of damaging property.

Seaton was jailed for 26 weeks.

Mr Smith praised the response of Cambridgeshire Constabulary: “I couldn't thank them enough. They were here from all over the county within minutes.”

He also thanked his staff and neighbours for helping during the “horrible” ordeal.