A WOMAN is taking the police to court claiming she was “wrongfully” arrested and strip searched.

Juliet Johnson was shopping at Waitrose in Chichester city centre without a face mask on February 25.

At the time, face coverings were compulsory in supermarkets unless you had a medical reason not to wear one.

Ms Johnson, an IT consultant, says she provided three forms of proof as to why she didn’t need to wear one – including an NHS exemption card highlighting an autoimmune disease which affects her breathing.

She claims that she was confronted by two police officers and subsequently arrested, taken to a police station, quizzed and strip-searched.

The 55-year-old was detained for two hours and eventually released the same day with no charges.

Sussex Police confirmed a civil claim has been received in relation to the incident, but have disputed any wrongdoing.

A police spokeswoman said the claim includes “concerns about her treatment whilst in custody, however this is strongly disputed by Sussex Police and liability has been denied”.

“It would be inappropriate for us to comment further whilst the legal matter is ongoing.”

Ms Johnson, who claims to have since been banned from Waitrose and John Lewis in person and online, shared her story online.

Writing on a crowdfunding page, she said: "I, like many others, suffer from a chronic health condition, invisible on the outside but at times debilitating.

“I told the police officer of my human rights and that I had already proved I was exempt. I was perfectly civil and was just talking sensibly.

“I did not want to be arrested. But when they arrested me, I think I laughed because I was in shock – I have shopped there for years.

“They handcuffed me and put me in the back of a police car. That was really painful because I had my hands cuffed behind my back.

“I was really upset because I am not an ASBO case, I am not abusive, I am a good, law-abiding citizen.”

Ms Johnson said she was “peacefully” and “quietly” shopping for groceries when she was confronted by the supermarket’s manager after they had been alerted by a security guard.

The Argus: The 55-year-old was detained for two hours and eventually released the same day with no charges The 55-year-old was detained for two hours and eventually released the same day with no charges

She claims she was not abusive or rude to anyone in the shop but she was still taken to the police station where she was forced to strip naked.

Ms Johnson says she is suing Sussex Police for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, assault and disability discrimination.

She is raising funds and has received £3,235 so far.

On her crowd justice page, she wrote: “Bad practices in the police must be addressed and rooted out. We need to see this end now.

“Don’t let the police get away with human rights abuse and illegal practices. It is time for action.”