Thief at Northampton store 'pepper sprays' shop assistant to escape with stolen beer

The fire service had to rush to the scene to help rinse the chemicals from the shop clerk's eyes and hair.
By Alastair Ulke
Published 22nd Jan 2020, 17:31 BST
Updated 22nd Jan 2020, 23:09 BST
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A shop assistant in Northampton was sprayed in the face with an 'incapacitating substance' so a shoplifter could escape with alcohol.

Witnesses are being asked to come forward after the incident at Northants News in Kettering Road at around 11pm on January 21.

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A man reportedly entered the shop before picking up four cans of beer and leaving without paying.

A shop assistant had chemicals sprayed i their face by a shoplifter in Kettering Road.A shop assistant had chemicals sprayed i their face by a shoplifter in Kettering Road.
A shop assistant had chemicals sprayed i their face by a shoplifter in Kettering Road.

When a shop assistant followed the man to tell him to pay, the shoplifter sprayed the assistant in the face with peppery spray and left.

Northamptonshire Police and the fire and rescue service were called to the scene, where fire crews used specialised rinse and shampoo to wash the chemicals out of the victims eyes and hair.

The victim was also taken to Northampton General Hospital by ambulance.

Police are now asking anyone who witnessed the incident or might have information to contact the force on 101.