Man charged after 'slapping people who sneeze in public'

A man has been charged with assault after allegedly slapping people who sneeze in public.

Police said they had received a number of complaints from people saying they had been slapped while sneezing in Carlisle city centre in February and March.

The victims were all elderly, ranging in age from 65 to 82.

Stephen Jackson, 49, has now been charged with four counts of assault by beating, one count of common assault and one count of using threatening behaviour to cause harassment, alarm and distress.

He will appear at North Cumbria Magistrates' Court on June 30.