Covid-19: Alleged supermarket spitter claims he 'spat at the ground', not at security guard

Monday, 23 August 2021

It's all hands to the pump at our supermarkets, and while the workers there have been widely praised, their efforts haven't been appreciated by some.

A man has denied allegations he spat at a security guard at a Christchurch supermarket after refusing to wear a facemask, saying he simply “spat on the ground”.

The incident is said to have happened at Countdown Church Corner in Riccarton on Friday when the customer, who had previously been trespassed for abusive behaviour, was refused entry.

He later suffered a broken leg as he was arrested by police.

Stephen O'Callaghan pictured from his hospital bed on Monday. O'Callaghan allegedly spat at a security guard at Countdown on Friday.

The security guard, who had to have a test for Covid-19, says the incident was captured by a body camera he was wearing.

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The incident happened at Countdown Church Corner in Christchurch on Friday.

Police earlier said a 58-year-old man had been charged with assault, resisting arrest, threatening to kill, and had been given an infringement notice for a Covid-19 related breach following the incident.

“This customer spat on the security guard and refused to leave the store,” Countdown general manager Kiri Hannifin.

“The police attended and apprehended the customer.”

However the customer, Stephen O’Callaghan, told Stuff a different version of events.

O’Callaghan claims he was waiting in line for a mask when the guard told him to leave.

“I walked off, and I spat on the ground – I didn't spit in his direction.”

A short while later he was stopped by police who wanted to talk to him about the incident.

O’Callaghan said his leg was broken as he was handcuffed, and he was taken to Christchurch Hospital for treatment.

He said he believed police were heavy-handed when arresting him.

The security guard, who asked not to be named, told Stuff on Monday he was unable to comment in detail while the matter was with police but said there was body camera footage of the incident.

He said O’Callaghan walked past security on his way to the line and swore, so he was asked to leave the premises and trespassed.

“He got in line without the mask and then when he got towards us that's when we said, ‘Look, you've been asked to leave’.

“He refused and then that's when he got really agro [aggressive] and spat as he walked out and made all the death threats.”

Christchurch metro area response manager Inspector Glenn Nalder said police were comfortable with action taken by staff to “effect the arrest”.

“Unfortunately the male’s leg was injured. He was taken to hospital where the injury was treated. Police have referred the matter to the IPCA (Independent Police Conduct Authority).”

Hannifin earlier said it was “incredibly distressing” when staff were subjected to abusive behaviour.

“It is particularly distressing when this involves spitting at a time when the country is experiencing a community outbreak of Covid-19.”