Mum spits in face of Christmas elf in Stockton shopping centre
- Published
Castlegate Shopping Centre says its elves have "dusted themselves down" since the upsetting flare-up
An angry mum spat in the face of an elf at a shopping centre Christmas grotto.
The woman lost her temper when told she could not take her child into the grotto in Stockton-on-Tees because she did not have a booking, police said.
She also verbally abused other elves, said Karen Eve, manager of the Castlegate Shopping Centre, who added that the flare-up "doesn't scream Christmas spirit at all".
Security has been stepped up at the centre and police are investigating.
A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the assault happened during the grotto's autism friendly hour, when the lights and noises are dimmed and places must be booked ahead.
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Ms Eve, who described the mum as "really hostile", said: "It was a really awful situation.
"The elves have dusted themselves down and they're absolutely fine.
"Most people have been appalled by what has happened."
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She said the grotto would have to have "parameters put in place" to protect staff.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault, which happened between 15:00 and 16:00 GMT on Saturday.
- Published11 December 2018
