‘Exempt’ woman sues police for Waitrose no-mask arrest
AN IT consultant was detained in a police cell for two hours after she was arrested for failing to wear a face mask in Waitrose.
Juliet Johnson, 55, argued she was exempt from wearing a covering when challenged by a manager and security guard at the supermarket in Chichester, West Sussex, in February.
But she was confronted by police officers and arrested over her refusal to put on a mask, which was required at the time under Government rules.
Ms Johnson, 55, was then taken to Chichester police station where she claims she was strip searched and held in custody for two hours.
She was released without charge but is now suing Sussex Police for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, assault and disability discrimination. She said she had proved to Waitrose staff she did not need to wear a face mask as she suffers from an autoimmune disease that affects her breathing.
A “protocol letter before action” has been sent to Sussex Police and Waitrose. A Waitrose spokesman said they could not comment as it was a civil claim with Sussex Police. A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A civil claim has been received in relation to this incident, including raising concerns about her treatment whilst in custody, however this is strongly disputed by Sussex Police and liability has been denied.”