Yob who spat at a police officer
A SWADLINCOTE yob spat at a police officer – then covered the inside of a police van with saliva.
Jeff Taylor has now committed more than 80 criminal offences, blaming his “appalling” behaviour on alcohol.
He was put in the back of a police van when he spat at the officer and, on the way to the station, spat all over the inside of the vehicle as well.
Appearing in court via video link from Nottingham prison, Taylor held his hand up to the cameras as the prosecution made its opening statement.
Judge John Burgess asked the 32-yearold what he wished to say – and that is when he blamed the booze.
Jailing the defendant for 18 weeks at Derby Crown Court, Judge Burgess said: “Jeff Taylor, you say you are ashamed of your behaviour that night and you certainly should be.
“But I don’t know how many times you have said sorry before because you have been before the courts so many times. You need to stop drinking because when you drink you behave like this.
“Police officers have a difficult enough job to do as it is and spitting is a disgusting thing to do.”
Catherine Picardo, prosecuting, said officers were called to a domestic incident at Taylor’s mother’s home in Swadlincote on February 23.
She said no charges were brought about by that report but that when they arrived the defendant was “heavily intoxicated” and arrested.
Miss Picardo said: “As he was being driven to the station he was spitting repeatedly in the cage he was being held in, inside the police van, despite being told not to.
“When they arrived at the police station, he continued to be agitated and, once in the police cell, two officers stood outside it because they were concerned about his behaviour.
“He was spitting in the cell and one of the officers told him to stop it but he spat at the officer.
“He was interviewed in the presence of an appropriate adult and accepted what he had done was unacceptable.”
Taylor, of Salisbury Drive, Midway, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker – spitting at the officer – and criminal damage.
He has 30 previous convictions for 83 offences.
After holding his hand up over the link and being asked what he wished to say, the defendant replied: “I feel very deeply appalled about my actions and I am sorry for them.
“Every time I am in trouble it’s the drink and I am very ashamed.”
I don’t know how many times you have said sorry before because you have been before the courts so many times.
Judge Burgess