Man who spat in police officer’s mouth is jailed
39-YEAR-OLD WITH HEPATITIS C SENTENCED FOR FIVE OFFENCES
A MAN with Hepatitis C has been jailed after spitting in the mouth of a police officer.
Mark Smelt, 39, was arrested in June last year after he threatened two people with a CS2 gas canister in Holderness Road.
Covered in a spit hood, Smelt had told officers restraining him that he had Hepatitis C and threatened to spit on them. He then turned and spat in the direction of one officer, with spittle hitting his mouth and cheek.
Smelt, of Hurley Close, off Holderness Road, appeared at Hull Crown Court to be sentenced for five offences.
The court heard police officers in Holderness Road on June 12 were alerted when a woman flagged them down claiming she had been threatened by a man in a mobility scooter.
A takeaway driver also told police he had been threatened with a CS2 gas canister, which had been sprayed towards him but missed and hit his vehicle.
Smelt was tracked down not far away and denied that he was in possession of the gas canister, but it was found in his coat pocket.
He was also in possession of cannabis, which he bought after failing to purchase Spice, an arrow head and a ring on his finger with spikes protruding from it, referred to as a knuckleduster.
“The defendant was arrested and at this point he stated to officers that he had Hepatitis C,” said prosecuting barrister Catherine Kioko-gilligan.
“He became verbally aggressive and threatened to spit at officers. His behaviour continued during the course of his transportation to Clough Road Police Station.”
Smelt had a spit hood placed over his head and he threatened another officer who helped to restrain him at the station that he had Hepatitis C. He then turned and spat in the officer’s direction, causing spittle to land in his mouth and on his cheek.
“The officer says he now feels anxious,” said Ms Kioko-gilligan. “He had simply attended to assist colleagues.
“In the days after the incident he had trouble sleeping and had difficulty concentrating. He informed his family about the incident, which made them feel anxious.
“He was left feeling angry, asking why anyone would put an officer in such danger when they were simply doing their job.”
Smelt admitted to officers that he had ordered the gas canister for his own protection and was surprised that it had been delivered seeing as it was a prohibited weapon.
Ms Kioko-gilligan said: “He says he left home that evening to buy Spice, but was unable to do so and instead bought cannabis.
“He admitted to threatening the takeaway driver, saying he felt intimidated by him. When the spit hood had been applied, that riled him up.
“He accepted that his behaviour was wrong and said he was out of order. He confirmed he had Hepatitis C but denied that he intentionally spat at the officer, as he thought the hood would stop it.”
Smelt appeared at Hull Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for possession of a prohibited weapon for discharge of an obnoxious liquid, possession of cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon, common assault and assaulting an emergency worker.
He has 27 convictions for 58 offences to his name, which Ms Kioko-gilligan was “akin to that of a long-term drug user”.
Mitigating barrister Mark Savage told the court that Smelt was “comparatively young but still making mistakes”.
“He concedes he ought not to be making these mistakes at his age,” said Mr Savage. “It is clear from offences that he is a gentleman who has struggled with alcohol and drugs for a significant part of his life.
“He has had the opportunity over the past six months to reflect on his behaviour and to be honest in saying ‘I need help, I don’t want to continue drinking.’ “I accept that this crosses the custody threshold, but I urge that custody does not have to be immediate. There are alternatives.” However, Recorder Doig told Smelt that police officers “will receive the protection of the courts”. “You must turn a corner,” he said. “You say you take no pride in your actions and I’m glad.
“I have been urged to suspend the sentence. I have considered it, however, I take the view that appropriate punishment can only be achieved with immediate custody. “Assaulting an emergency worker is a serious offence. Police officers have a difficult and dangerous job to do.
“If police officers are assaulted, they are entitled to expect the courts’ protection and they will receive it.” Smelt was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the possession of a CS2 gas canister and a further six months added for assaulting an emergency worker – 18 months in total. his
If police officers are assaulted, they are entitled to expect the court’s protection and they will receive it Recorder Doig
NEW signs welcoming people to the city have sparked an angry backlash from some Hull residents.
Hull City Council installed the signs, which feature colourful images celebrating Hull’s industry, architecture, culture and maritime heritage, with the slogan “Welcome to Hull.”
They replace the now outdated City of Culture welcome signs installed in 2017, as Coventry takes over the title.
They form part of the council’s long-term plans to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic by promoting the city as a visitor destination.
However, after the signs were erected on Saturday, residents have reacted with anger, claiming the council has used the wrong name.
Residents say the city’s full title of Kingston Upon Hull should have been used, instead of just “Hull”.
They have also criticised the image, likening it to “90s clip art”. Other have said the council should have used the money fixing potholes instead.
The backlash appeared on the council’s social media page on Facebook, and residents did not hold back with their strong opinions.
Sarah Turner-barley said: “Awful, it is Kingston upon Hull, what an insult from this council.
“How about doing something useful and fixing the potholes?”
Another said: “Should have our full title of Kingston Upon Hull. The signs look awful tbh. Looks like clip art from the 90s. So many faults with it.”
David Cook added: “Can’t believe our council don’t know our city’s name.
“It’s Kingston upon Hull. better filling some potholes.”
The new-look design includes a familiar landmarks such as The Deep, Hull Minster and the Wilberforce Monument.
The design has been defended by Councillor Daren Hale, deputy leader of the council, who says there’s a valid reason why Hull’s full title was not used.
He also pointed out the old signs which have been removed also referred to the city as “Hull”, not “Kingston Upon Hull.”
“Actually, most people know the city as ‘Hull,’” he said.
“When we put the last signs up we had that debate internally, but what we were saying was we were trying to brand it as the Hull City of Culture and getting the name on the weather map we had to keep it clear.
“One of the problems we had at the time was that as lot of people didn’t know where it was, so we were trying to put it on the map, literally. So it was about being clear.
“So, again, I would say to them well they have been the same for the past five years so I can’t see what the debate is about now.”
Councillor
Hale, who
Be is portfolio for highways defended the cost of the revealing they cost £6,000.
He added: “We had to take down the existing signs because they said City of Culture and that was the agreement with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
“So we just did a like-for-like one, we saw the chance to refresh the branding and a bold new image of all the key landmarks on that which one of our internal designers did for nothing.
“There’s a debate to be had, but the key thing was that it’s only what was there before, but the image is going down well and it’s about instilling that confidence that the city will bounce back.”
Asked about whether the money should have been spent elsewhere, for example on potholes, Cllr Hale pointed out the city is carrying out major refurbishment work.
He said: “The money to put the old ones up was in the city of culture budget, these ones have cost a total of six thousand, and we had no choice because we had to take them down.
“So it was always a cost that we were going to incur, but in the great scheme of things we’ve had the biggest road and replacement repair programme this year, so I don’t think it’s a case of either or.
“I am often criticised about road repairs. People no longer complain about the potholes, they complain about the repair of potholes, so it’s quite ironic isn’t it?” also signs,