Man who spat at hospital nurses admits 'disgusting' assault

A 25-year-old man has admitted to spitting at nurses who were trying to treat his injured hand.

Police were called to reports of a man being assaulted in Northumberland Avenue on Monday at 12.45pm.

They discovered a 19-year-old man had been punched and kicked and a mirror at the address had also been smashed.

The 19-year-old was not seriously injured, but police arrested Zeb Fitts at the scene and took him to West Suffolk Hospital to have a hand injury assessed.

While he was being treated, Fitts spat in the faces of two accident and emergency nurses.

Superintendent Kim Warner, West Suffolk Area Commander, condemned the assault as "utterly disgusting".

He said: "At a time when our colleagues in the NHS are on the front line of combatting coronavirus, spitting at nurses who were trying to treat you is both utterly disgusting and reckless beyond belief."

Fitts, of no fixed abode, was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning and was subsequently charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

In relation to the incident at Northumberland Avenue, Fitts was charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of criminal damage.

Fitts appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court today where he pleaded guilty to all four offences.

He was remanded in custody pending an appearance before Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday, April 29.

Superintendent Warner added: “I cannot comprehend what compels someone to do such a thing, but at least he has admitted his crimes at the earliest opportunity and has saved a further drain on public services. I hope he now reflects on his actions whilst awaiting sentence.”

Read more

Boy, 14, charged with spitting at woman during UK coronavirus crisis

Mugger launched £1.1m crime spree after being freed in error

Met Police: Fight against crime will go on despite virus

Met chief’s reassurance: Police still on streets fighting crime