A man has been jailed for 16 weeks following a shocking incident at Intu Derby shopping centre. Gareth Haywood, 35, of no fixed abode, was convicted after spitting on an escalator and verbally abusing staff in a sports shop.
The case was heard at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Monday, 17 August. Haywood faced charges of criminal damage and a public order offence for using threatening and abusive behaviour.
The incident took place on 16 June when Haywood and his companion, Sarah Osbourne, 35, who is also homeless, attempted to return a tracksuit to JD Sports in Intu Derby without a receipt. When the refund was denied, tensions escalated.
Both Haywood and Osbourne became abusive and threatening towards the shop staff. During the altercation, Haywood spat multiple times onto the escalator and surrounding areas, causing damage to the property.
While Haywood was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, Osbourne received a suspended sentence for the same public order offence. Authorities, including Derby police and shopping centre staff, hope the sentence will serve as a warning that abuse and vandalism will not be tolerated in the community.
Originally published by UKNIP.
