Woman jailed for spitting in faces of emergency workers at Sussex hospital

A Sussex woman who spat in the faces of two police officers and a nurse while claiming to have coronavirus has been jailed.
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Sussex Police said Sarah Clarkson-Rose, of New Barn Lane, Ridgewood, Uckfield, appeared before Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, June 10, where she was sentenced to six months in prison.

The 42-year-old had pleaded guilty to assaulting the emergency workers when she appeared at a virtual hearing in custody at Brighton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 13.

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The attack on one of the PCs took place after Clarkson-Rose was arrested on May 11, on suspicion of criminal damage to furniture after a domestic incident.

Sarah Clarkson-Rose has been jailed.

Picture: Sussex PoliceSarah Clarkson-Rose has been jailed.

Picture: Sussex Police
Sarah Clarkson-Rose has been jailed. Picture: Sussex Police

Police said overnight she claimed to be feeling unwell in her police cell but on being taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital spat repeatedly in the faces of both the nurse who was trying to help her and another PC who was escorting her and was also trying to help.

It turned out she needed no medical treatment and she was returned to police custody.

Temporary Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “This was an appalling series of deliberate attacks on three public servants doing their duty to help keep the public safe.

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“We are glad that the court took these offences seriously, because of the flagrant disregard with which this woman treated three workers on the front line in protecting the community at this crucial time.

“Being spat at or assaulted while working to protect the public is simply not part of the job.”

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