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JAILED: Man spat at Home Bargains worker while claiming to have coronavirus

A man has been jailed for 17 weeks after admitting to spitting at a shop worker while claiming to have coronavirus.

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Home Bargains, in Cannock

Lee Whitehouse was detained by officers at Home Bargains in Cannock town centre on April 7 on suspicion of theft.

The 39-year-old, of Hunter Road, then spat at a shop worker claiming he had the virus.

He was jailed on Wednesday after admitting two counts of theft and the assault.

Whitehouse was jailed for 17 weeks for the assault – with a concurrent six-week sentence for theft.

Chief inspector Becky Hyde, area commander for Cannock Chase Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "The vast majority of people across Cannock and Rugeley have been fantastic during the lockdown period, however, as the government eases restrictions compliance with the regulations remains important, especially if we are to continue to locally drive down infection rates.

"There a small minority that choose not to protect others and incidents such as this where Covid-19 is used as a threat against people trying to do their jobs. As in this case we will put those people before the courts."

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