A gang of men threw water and spat on a teenage girl as she walked home from her work in Armagh city centre earlier this afternoon (Friday).
The 17-year-old had just finished a shift at Bagel Bean around 4pm when she was targeted by a gang of up to five men a few hundred yards away on Upper English Street.
The young girl’s mother, Donna Livingstone, told Armagh I how her daughter was left shaken by the disgusting incident.
“The five men threw water in my daughter’s face, spat at her and then laughed,” she explained.
“These perpetrators, it seems, find it difficult to comprehend this appalling conduct especially in the current climate.
“It is far from socially acceptable to spit in someone’s face and after reading about the dreadful assault on Barry Loughlin, I am tired of individuals thinking they can do whatever they want to inflict injury on innocent people.”
Ms Livingstone said her daughter, despite any visible injuries, is particularly concerned by the having someone spit in her face.
“To spit in someone’s face, not knowing what implications that could have during this Covid pandemic, is completely unacceptable at the best of times,” she added.
“Flaunting rules, intimidating and disrespectful behaviour should be addressed with a zero tolerance approach.”
A police spokesperson told Armagh I: “It was reported to police at around 4.30 pm that a short time earlier a 17-year-old girl was spat on as she walked past a group of men.
“Enquiries are continuing and police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw anything suspicious at the time is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1442 of 14/08/20.”
You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
