Maskless man 'punches and spits on victim, 70', after being asked to social distance

A maskless man attacked and spat at a pensioner after being asked to social distance at a mini supermarket, police have said.

Rovester Ingram was advised to step back by the unnamed victim, 70, during the alleged confrontation at a Citago petrol station in Florida, according to Winter Park Police.

The accused then followed the victim outside and began hitting him, police said.

Ingram is said to have continued his attack back inside the shop where the victim tried to flee to safety, shoving him to the floor and dragging him outside by his hair.

The terrified man was pulled over a pavement and into a car park as the attack intensified, the police statement said.

"The victim was on his stomach as Ingram repeatedly punched him on his back, then spat on him and kicked him in the head before walking away," police said.

The horrific incident was caught on CCTV, with police finding the victim lying outside the station bleeding, having suffered serious injuries.

He was rushed to hospital, where he was found to have broken bones.

Having then identified Ingram on the video footage, police arrested him at his home.

He was charged with aggravated battery on a person over 65, and kidnapping.

It comes as Florida reported over 200 new Covid-19 deaths for the first time in three weeks on Wednesday, as a further 202 people died.

In figures revealed over the weekend, Wednesday's toll was up from 44 the day before and more than 70 a week before.

State authorities said it was the biggest increase since August 18.