Revealed Former Garda clerical worker faces jail for spitting in the face of female security guard

This is the former Garda clerical worker now facing possible jail time for spitting on a female security worker in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dublin District Court heard this week how John Medupe also threatened the security guard that he would "crack her head open and enjoy every minute of it" after being challenged when he jumped a supermarket queue.

The court heard the woman was left extremely distressed by the incident as she was afraid she could have been infected by Covid-19.

Assault

Medupe, with an address at Killarney Parade, Phibsboro, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour with intent to cause a breach of the peace.

After counsel for Medupe entered a guilty plea on his behalf, Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned the case to a later date for full facts to be given, as well as mitigation.

The offence of assault causing harm carries a maximum possible sentence of 12 months in prison at District Court level.

Approached this week, Medupe told the Sunday World he did not wish to comment about his behaviour.

"I can't say anything about that," he said.

Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at Marks & Spencer in the Jervis Shopping Centre last July 2.

A Garda sergeant told Judge Smyth that the DPP had consented to the case being dealt with summarily in the District Court, subject to a judge considering the issue of jurisdiction.

In an outline of the prosecution's case, the court heard Medupe went into the shop and jumped a queue.

When a security guard spoke to him about this, he replied: "F**k you."

He then tried to enter the store through the Mary Street clothing section and the same security woman stopped him and told him he could not enter.

He became abusive and spat on her, the court heard.

The spittle landed on her chin, shirt and tie and she was "very distressed".

The woman was afraid she could catch Covid-19, the court heard.

Court

Medupe also said to her: "If you keep following me, I'm going to crack your head open and enjoy every minute of it."

Judge Smyth accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case, allowing it to remain in the District Court.

He said that before sentencing he would need to see a victim impact statement, if the injured party wished to make one.

No medical report was available to the court.

Defence solicitor Matthew De Courcy asked the judge to note a plea of guilty and adjourn the case in the accused's absence for finalisation later.

Judge Smyth remanded Medupe on continuing bail to appear in court on a date next month.

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