Man jailed for spitting at a bus driver during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic
A man who spat at a key worker during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic has been jailed after the quick-thinking bus driver took a swab of the spit.
Michael Aidoo, 44, and of no fixed address, appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 25, where he pleaded guilty t0 common assault.
The court heard that on the morning of Saturday, February 13, Aidoo boarded the number 436 bus on Queens Road in Peckham.
He refused to pay a fare and tried to walk past the driver and when challenged, Aidoo became abusive.
He then pulled down his mask and spat at the driver before getting back off the bus.
Thankfully, a screen between the driver and passengers provided protection.
The quick-thinking driver used a swab to collect a sample which he handed to officers at Lewisham Police Station.
The DNA was found to be a direct match to that of Aidoo and he was arrested by Safer Transport Teams officers at Vauxhall Railway Station on Wednesday, March 24.
At court, he was sentenced to 18 weeks’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128.
Detective Sergeant Ian Beattie, of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “This was a disgusting act against a key worker who was providing an essential service during the lockdown.
“To be spat is completely unacceptable and it is right that Aidoo has been given a custodial sentence to reflect the seriousness of this offence.
“Spitting is disgraceful at any time, but it is even more shocking in the middle of a pandemic. We will not tolerate such behaviour.”
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
