Wigan justices’ disgust at spitting assault

Wigan and Leigh magistrates told Christopher France-Sergeant that spitting was a “particularly nasty assault” at the best of times but especially so during the Covid-19 pandemic when there is a risk of infection.

The 33-year-old, of Bag Lane, Atherton, admitted to what is classified as Jonathan Francis’s assault by beating on April 19 and also to stealing £30 worth of air fresheners from Asda on the same day.

He was given a four-month prison term, but the bench suspended the term for 12 months.

France-Sergeant must also complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities and pay £313 in compensation to his victim, court costs and a victim services surcharge.