Coronavirus: Doorstep beggar who spat at shop worker sentenced

A woman who harassed elderly people with door-to-door begging during the lockdown and spat at a shop worker has been sentenced.

Emma Richie, 39, caused anxiety to people in self-isolation by knocking on doors after dark and asking for money.

Richie also spat at a Morrisons employee in Redcar after he asked her to move on from the store.

She was given a suspended sentence at Teesside Magistrates' Court after admitting four offences.

District judge Helen Cousins told former mental health student Richie she had committed "horrible" offences.

Heroin addict Richie, of Station Road, Redcar, knocked on the doors of elderly or vulnerable people, many of whom were self-isolating, after 21:00 on 30 March.

Cleveland Police received 19 complaints from members of the public about Richie's actions.

One complainant told police: "Not only was I concerned someone would knock on my door so late, it did cross my mind, because of the coronavirus, she may have the virus and spread it."

The following day she was begging outside the supermarket when she was asked to leave by a shop worker.

She refused and spat on his chest, then shouted abuse before spitting at him again, the court heard.

Richie admitted assault, a public order offence, begging and breaching the coronavirus regulations.

Judge Cousins said due to the two weeks Riche spent remanded in prison between court hearings, she would impose a 16-week sentence suspended for 12 months, ordered her to complete 20 days' rehabilitation and take a drug treatment course, as well as handing her a 14-week curfew.

Richie must also pay an £85 fine and £100 compensation to the shop worker.

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