A REWARD has been posted for information leading to the successful prosecution of a self-claimed NHS worker after he spat in the face of the store manager who refused to sell him oil.

Gavin Trueman, 43, a manager at Bike Treads in Kembrey Park, said he felt disgusted by the attack. Wiltshire Police confirmed officers were investigating the incident.

In a bid to track down the man responsible Mr Trueman posted CCTV images of him on social media. He says he will pay £50 from his own pocket for information that leads to the prosecution of his attacker.

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He told the Adver he had been working at Bike Treads on Friday when the man knocked on the front door.

The shop, which sells and repairs motorcycles, is operating a closed-door policy in order to minimise the impact of coronavirus on the business. Only key workers like NHS staff are being served by appointment, with the aim of making sure they are able to get to work.

Mr Trueman said the man knocked on the door at around 12.15pm and asked for a bottle of oil for a motocross bike. The off-road motorcycles cannot be used legally on roads, with the sport confined to enclosed tracks.

He refused to serve the man. “We’re not encouraging people to be out unless they need to be out. The longer the outbreak goes on the longer we have to keep the business closed.”

The man pleaded with the store manager, claiming he could prove he worked for the NHS.

When Mr Trueman wouldn’t budge he swore at him then spat directly in his face.

“I was absolutely disgusted, to be honest,” the store manager said.

“To have somebody do that, it’s like why do we bother? Why have we opened to help people when this is how we’re treated?”

Mr Trueman questioned why somebody who claimed to work for the NHS would spit at anyone – particularly during a pandemic. “Any civilised human being will understand why that behaviour was totally unacceptable.

“He should be aware of the situation and the impact of what he’d done.”

The man is described as white, with a dark beard and bald head. He got back into the passenger side of a 69-plate black Mercedes.

Wiltshire Police confirmed it was aware of the attack.

A spokeswoman said: “Enquiries are ongoing.”

On Thursday, the Crown Prosecution Service said anyone using coronavirus to threaten emergency and essential workers – including garage staff – could face serious criminal charges.

Claiming to have the virus and coughing at others could be charged as common assault.

Director of public prosecutions Max Hill QC said: “I am appalled by reports of police officers and other frontline workers being deliberately coughed at by people claiming to have Covid-19.

“Let me be very clear: this is a crime and needs to stop.

“The CPS stands behind emergency and essential workers and will not hesitate to prosecute anybody who threatens them as they go about their vital duties.”