Littlehampton man denies coughing on police officer and assaulting woman

Terry Higgins, 47, of St Augustine Road in Littlehampton, pleaded not guilty to two assaults and two theft charges at Worthing Magistrates’ Court today (July 8).

He was accused of coughing in the face of a police community support officer in New Road, Littlehampton, on April 1 and charged with assault by beating of an emergency officer.

Higgins denied three separate charges relating to incidents in May, including assault by beating of a woman named Olivia Shearly in The Square, Angmering, on May 20.

The same day, Higgins is accused of stealing food from the Co-op in The Square and denied a further charge of stealing from a Co-op in Station Parade, East Preston, on May 10.

Chairman of the bench Gavin Oclee-Brown ordered Higgins to appear at two separate trials in October at Worthing Magistrate’s Court.

On October 13 he will stand trial for the charge of assaulting an emergency officer and 10 days later, on October 23, will face the two thefts and additional assault charge.

He was granted unconditional bail in relation to assaulting the police officer, but was given conditions relating to the other three charges.

Mr Oclee-Brown set a curfew of 7pm to 7am where he must remain at his St Augustine Road address and he was told to appear at Littlehampton Police Station every weekday.