A WOMAN who lost her grandmother to coronavirus a week prior was spat on and told ‘now you have it’ after trying to follow the two-metre social distancing rule.

Jodie Lee Allen, of Darfield Road, Cudworth, was left ‘shaken’ after a woman ‘reportedly spat in her face’, which has prompted a police appeal.

“I went into my local shop on Darfield Road on Tuesday afternoon and while queuing, I noticed that there were people really close to me and not following government guidelines,” said the 23-year-old.

“This was so important to me as I had just lost my nan a week earlier from coronavirus and I’m still coming to terms with it.

“So I mentioned it to the cashier to remind him of the two-metre rule as the man behind me was so close.

“The man didn’t listen and started to become abusive towards me, he was calling me names and threatening me.

“All I wanted was to remind them of the two-metre social distancing rule for my family’s safety as I have two vulnerable children at home.

“Once I had left the shop, I received more abuse from the man’s girlfriend who spat in my face.

“She then shouted ‘I have coronavirus - have that’. I was absolutely terrified after what happened with my nan.”

After the attack, Jodie was left fearing for her children’s safety in case the incident could have led to contracting the disease.

“After the incident, I was so upset. I immediately contacted the police and went home to wash myself as best I could.

“After losing my nan to the virus, I am still mourning her loss. But to now think I could have caught the virus in a vicious attack is awful.

“People should only be going out for essentials and should keep a good distance from one another. This is so serious.

“I just want those responsible to be caught.”

A spokesperson from South Yorkshire Police added: “Police were called at around 3.20pm on April 14, following reports that a 23-year-old woman had been assaulted.

“It is understood that she was inside a convenience store and asked an unknown man to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

“He is believed to have become aggressive, leaving the shop and returning with a woman.

“She was then assaulted by a woman, suffering facial injuries.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 503 of April 14.”