‘Exempt’ woman sues police for Waitrose no-mask arrest

After she was arrested for failing to wear a face mask in Waitrose, an IT consultant was detained in a police cell for two hours

55-year-old Juliet Johnson 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. 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. However, 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 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 false imprisonment, assault, wrongful arrest, and disability discrimination.

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 spokesman for Sussex Police 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."

The Johnson Partnership

Derby Crime Solicitors