NHS nurse, 28, reveals she was spat at and branded a ‘virus spreader’ in Lidl car park as prosecutors warn emergency workers face a daily barrage of attacks under lockdown
- An NHS care nurse revealed she was spat at as she tried to go shopping at Lidl
- Amy Hall, 28, provides care for elderly and vulnerable during coronavirus crisis
- There’s been worrying number of reports of NHS staff being attacked or abused
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
An NHS nurse has revealed she was spat at and branded a ‘virus spreader’ by a vile thug amid increasing number of attacks on healthcare workers on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Amy Hall, 28, works as an NHS care worker
Care manager Amy Hall, 28, was wearing her uniform when she was targeted by a member of the public in a Lidl car park in Waterlooville, Hampshire.
A ‘middle-aged man’ approached her and shouted the disgusting abuse before attempting to spit on her as she walked towards the shop.
Ms Hall, who provides vital care to elderly and vulnerable people at Verina Daly Care, was only out shopping for Mother’s Day flowers for her mum and was left shocked and upset by the incident – as were onlookers with witnesses confronting the thug.
The despicable attack comes as the Director of Public Prosecutions warned of a concerning daily-trend of healthcare and emergency workers being deliberately coughed or spat at or verbally abused during the lockdown.
Recalling the attack against her, which happened on March 21, Ms Hall said: ‘It was an adult who said ‘you’re a virus spreader’ and I kind of said ‘you will spread the virus’.
‘Quite a few people stood up for me outside. Everyone let me get to the front of the queue.
Ms Hall revealed she was in her uniform when she was spat at and branded a ‘virus spreader’
‘It was quite surreal. I can’t believe that some people have got that view about us.
‘I was on my way to buy my mum a bunch of flowers I could leave on her doorstep for her on Mother’s Day. It was shocking.
‘We’re obviously trying to help our elderly to get through this difficult time and don’t appreciate being spat at.’
The coronavirus crisis has triggered a surge in attacks on doctors and nurses with some even reporting that they have been spat at after 10-hour shifts.
The despicable attack on Ms Hall happened in a Lidl car park near Portsmouth on March 21
The care manager (pictured left) has been caring for the old and vulnerable during lockdown
There have also been a worrying number of reports in recent days of paramedics, police officers and supermarket staff receiving abuse.
Earlier this week, shocking footage emerged online showing two boys threatening Asda employees outside the store in Gosport with one saying: ‘I’ll cut you up,’ before being forced to apologise.
Overall crime has plummeted during the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, but reports of anti-social behaviour in the last four weeks have spiked with new figures revealing they are 59 per cent higher than the same period last year.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said 178,000 incidents were reported across England and Wales.
Woman, 30, is jailed for five months after spitting on a police officer during coronavirus lockdown
A woman has been jailed for more than five months after she spat on a police officer during the coronavirus pandemic.
Stephanie Crowe, 30, was apprehended by officers after they were called to reports of criminal damage to a car in Bournemouth, Dorset.
While she was being dealt with at the scene Crowe spat on a police constable.
She was charged with assaulting an emergency worker which she admitted at Poole Magistrates’ Court.
Crowe was jailed for 18 weeks due to the serious nature of the crime.
Stephanie Crowe, 30, (pictured) has been jailed for spitting on a police officer
She also admitted five charges in relation to a separate incident of theft, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker that happened last December.
District judge Stephen Nicholls handed her a four week prison sentence to run consecutive to the 18 week jail term.
Dorset Chief Constable James Vaughan said: ‘Our officers and staff demonstrate their commitment, courage and dedication to serving our communities on a daily basis and this is particularly the case during the current situation we are facing as a nation.
‘They have signed up to protect and help the public, not to coming into work each day with the risk of being assaulted.
‘Spitting is always a despicable offence but it is particularly abhorrent during the public health emergency we are all facing.
‘We will not tolerate assaults on our officers or our emergency services colleagues.
‘Offenders will be dealt with robustly and this case demonstrates that we will bring criminal proceedings against those responsible.’
The spitting incident took place on April 2.