Thief who spat at shop workers while claiming he had coronavirus jailed

Officers were called to the Co-Op in North Street on Sunday morning with reports Benjamin Seaton was being violent towards staff including spitting in the face of the store manager.

The 30-year-old was arrested at the scene for the offences and claimed he had coronavirus.

At Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Monday he pleaded guilty to 10 charges including six counts of assault by beating, theft, breaching a restraining order and two counts of damaging property.

Sgt Mark Rabel said: “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.”