Grieving husband of train worker who died after being spat at reacts as police drop case

The grieving husband of railway worker who died from coronavirus after being spat at has spoken of his sadness after find out police will take no further action.

Belly Mujinga, 47, was with a colleague on the concourse of London's Victoria Station when a man who said he was infected with Covid-19 spat at them.

Both women fell ill with the virus within days of the attack on March 22, and Ms Mujinga died in hospital in Barnet on April 5 - leaving a widower and an 11-year-old daughter called Ingrid.

Today British Transport Police (BTP) said detectives had conducted extensive inquiries and concluded her death was not linked to her being spat.

Detectives had reviewed CCTV, spoke to witnesses and interviewed a 57-year-old man who will face no further action.

Heartbroken Lusamba Gode Katalay, told the PA news agency: "The police came and told me the CCTV does not prove anything.

"I do not know how strong I am to hear that. It is very sad for us."

Asked whether he felt he would be able to get justice for his wife, Mr Katalay said: "I need to speak more with my family first."

In a statement, BTP said: "On 11 May, it was reported to BTP that a 47-year-old lady, Belly Mujinga, had been spat and coughed at while working in the ticket hall with two colleagues on 21 March.

"Following a review of all the information, senior detectives have concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate any criminal offences having taken place, and that the tragic death of Belly Mujinga was not a consequence of this incident.

"As a result, the matter will not be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service."

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn said: "I know the loss of Belly has moved so many people, and I can assure you we have done everything we can to provide answers for her family.

"As a result of our inquiries, we can now be confident that this incident did not lead to Belly's tragic death."

Angie Doll, managing director of Southern Railway and Gatwick Express, said: "While we note the BTP's conclusions, this does not detract from the tragic loss of our colleague."

Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, of which Belly was a member, said: "We are pleased that the British Transport Police investigated this incident as it sends a very strong message that abuse and attacks directed at transport workers are always unacceptable.

"What is clear is that protective equipment is absolutely vital to protect frontline workers like Belly. All transport workers on the front line should have access to masks, visors, hand sanitiser and other protective equipment."

Last week Mr Katalay said his wife's death had "destroyed the whole world for him and his daughter".

The 60-year-old spoke out after the Home Secretary Priti Patel pledged to double the maximum common assault jail sentence to 12 months for anyone who spits at a key worker.

Recalling her final days he said his wife of five years begged him not to allow Ingrid to see her in her hospital bed during a video call which was to be their last.

“She told me that she didn’t want Ingrid to see her like that. She said, ‘Pray for me’," he said.

The former BBC journalist was on medication and had respiratory problems following surgery four years ago so when she told her doctor what had happened to her a few days later she was advised to self-isolate at home for three months because she was vulnerable.

When she started becoming unwell she took paracetamol before switching to oxygen but after her condition failed to improve she called an ambulance.

Her elderly mum was stuck in the African Democratic Republic of Congo, where the couple are both from, unable to say a final goodbye to her daughter.

A fundraising page for Ms Mujinga's family has seen more than £43,000 pledged.

To donate visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/rip-belly-mujinga