Gravesend man jailed for spitting at NHS worker who was trying to help him
12:57, 15 May 2020
updated: 13:00, 15 May 2020
A man who spat at an NHS worker who was trying to help him has been jailed.
John Donoghue, of Raphael Road, Gravesend, was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital on Monday where he was approached by a member of staff who wanted to carry out routine checks on him.
The 31-year-old was asked to remove his coat before he sat up and spat on the woman's body.
A police officer at the hospital witnessed the incident and arrested Donoghue on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
He was charged one day later and pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Donoghue was jailed for 20 weeks, which included the activation of a 12-week suspended sentence for an unrelated matter.
Detective Inspector Joanna Lay said: "Spitting at an NHS worker is completely unacceptable, especially during a public health emergency, and therefore Kent Police will always seek to take robust action against offenders.
"There is absolutely no excuse for his actions..."
"The victim and her colleagues are putting their health on the line on a daily basis as they work tirelessly to treat those affected by Covid-19 and other medical matters. During this incident, the victim was trying to help Donoghue and he responded by spitting on her.
"There is absolutely no excuse for his actions and the court has recognised this with an immediate custodial sentence being imposed."
