Shocking moment man, 44, spits at bus driver during height of coronavirus lockdown as he is jailed for more than four months
- Michael Aidoo, 44, refused to pay a fare when boarding bus in Peckham, London
- He tried to walk past driver in February and, when challenged, became abusive
- CCTV shows passenger spitting at the driver, who was protected by a screen
- Aidoo appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court and was jailed for 18 weeks
This is the shocking moment a man spits at a bus driver during the height of the third coronavirus lockdown as he is jailed for more than four months.
Michael Aidoo, 44, refused to pay a fare when boarding the bus on Queens Road in Peckham, south London, on February 13, a court heard.
He tried to walk past the driver and, when challenged, became abusive. CCTV footage captures him pulling down his mask and spitting towards the key worker before getting back off the bus.
Aidoo appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court today and pleaded guilty to common assault. He was handed an 18-week prison sentence.
Michael Aidoo (pictured above), 44, refused to pay a fare when boarding the bus on Queens Road in Peckham, south London, on February 13, a court heard
A protective screen stopped the spit from reaching the driver, who used a swab to collect a sample which he handed to officers at Lewisham Police Station.
The DNA was found to be a direct match to that of Aidoo and he was arrested by Safer Transport Teams officers at Vauxhall Railway Station on March 24.
At court Aidoo, of no fixed address, was also ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge.
Detective Sergeant Ian Beattie said: ‘This was a disgusting act against a key worker who was providing an essential service during the lockdown.
‘To be spat is completely unacceptable and it is right that Aidoo has been given a custodial sentence to reflect the seriousness of this offence.
‘Spitting is disgraceful at any time, but it is even more shocking in the middle of a pandemic. We will not tolerate such behaviour.’
Aidoo seen boarding the bus (left) before pulling down his face mask and spitting at the driver (right). He pleaded guilty to common assault at Croydon Magistrates’ Court
Aidoo got back off the bus after spitting at the driver, who was protected by a screen and used a swab to collect a sample which he handed to officers at Lewisham Police Station
Aidoo seen towards the end of the CCTV footage. The DNA was found to be a direct match and he was arrested by Safer Transport Teams officers at Vauxhall Railway Station on March 24
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