Shoplifter denies ‘coronavirus’ cough assault on Kesgrave Tesco staff
John Bloomer is alleged to have assaulted a member of staff at the Tesco store in Kesgrave Picture: ARCHANT
A shoplifter has denied coughing at member of staff and claiming to have coronavirus.
John Bloomer, appearing via video link at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on Monday, admitted stealing from Tesco, in Ropes Drive, Kesgrave, on April 21 – but denied common assault outside the store.
The 41-year-old is alleged to have deliberately coughed at a member of staff and claimed he had Covid-19.
Bloomer, of Poppy Close, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to stealing £107.50 of alcohol from the shop – and stealing razor blades worth £60 from Boots on October 5 and 9 – but entered a not guilty plea to assault and will face trial later this year.
Prosecutor Wayne Ablett said: “The assault charge is linked to the theft from Tesco, so it may be appropriate to adjourn all matters to tie in with the trial and for there to be one sentencing exercise.”
You may also want to watch:
Bloomer was released on conditional bail until his trial on November 30.
Most Read
- 1 Parents 'distraught' after teenage boy is violently assaulted in Chantry
- 2 Car catches fire outside Morrisons store in Ipswich
- 3 Man Tasered by police while armed with knife is jailed
- 4 Video captures car engulfed by inferno of flames in Morrisons car park
- 5 Touching tributes paid to 'kind-hearted' Ipswich council worker of 25 years
- 6 Serial 'dine and dash' conman who fled hotels without paying is jailed
- 7 Driver taken to hospital after BMW ploughs into tree
- 8 Council investigating 'frustrating' Ipswich hum bothering residents
- 9 Could a change in bus services help keep passengers moving post-Covid?
- 10 Plans to convert pub into takeaway refused
