Man jailed for spitting at West Suffolk Hospital nurses in 'disgusting' attack

A man who spat in the faces of two nurses at the West Suffolk Hospital has been jailed for eight months.

Zeb Fitts, 25, had been arrested after a 19-year-old man was punched and kicked in Northumberland Avenue in Bury St Edmunds on April 6.

Fitts was then taken to hospital to be assessed for a hand injury, but had to be restrained.

Two accident and emergency nurses came outside to treat him in the car park, at which point Fitts shouted at them and spat at them.

The saliva hit their faces and protective masks.

Fitts was charged with the four offences, including two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

“I am pleased to see that justice has been delivered swiftly and Zeb Fitts has been sentenced appropriately," Superintendent Kim Warner said.

“We are in the midst of a national crisis - one which our colleagues in the NHS are leading from the front - and to treat another person in this way – in particular someone trying to help you - is unacceptable at any time, but especially so at the moment.

“I repeat the words I used when Fitts was convicted – his actions were both utterly disgusting and reckless beyond belief. Assaults on emergency workers will not be tolerated and offenders can expect to be dealt with robustly, which as this case demonstrates will most likely result in a jail term.”