A MAN appeared in court accused of spitting at police outside a supermarket.

Gabriel Nomafo, 25, was arrested outside Waitrose in Western Road, Brighton, on Tuesday.

Staff had said a man had been spitting inside the shop, and flagged down police officers on patrol during the lockdown.

Nomafo, of no fixed address, was charged with assaulting an emergency worker, criminal damage, possession of cannabis, and harassment.

He will next appear in May.

The case follows other reports of police being spat at.

The Argus previously reported on how 65-year-old Peter Davy was jailed for three months when he spat at police and told them he was infected with coronavirus.

Meanwhile earlier this month University of Brighton lecturer Jane Challenger-Gillett was given a six-month suspended sentence for spitting at officers in Roundhill Crescent, Brighton.

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Chief Inspector Dee Wells said: “Spitting directly at or towards people is a disgusting action and will not be tolerated by police at any time, but particularly when we are in a situation where this action will cause even more distress than usual to those involved.

“It is completely unacceptable and we will continue to take action against reports of any behaviour such as this."

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