Man pleads guilty to spitting at police officer and bus driver

A WEST London man has pleaded guilty after spitting at a bus driver and police officer.

William Cawley, 23, from Grove Lane, in Uxbridge, pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault at court on Wednesday.

Uxbridge Magistrates Court was told that at 5.10pm on Monday April 20, Cawley entered a Transport for London bus through the wrong door at Uxbridge bus station. When he was informed of this by the driver, and told to use the middle door, he became aggressive and spat at the driver.

Nearby police officers were informed of the incident and then identified Cawley, who ran away but was detained in Cocks Yard after being pursued on foot.

After being taken into custody,

Cawley spat at a police officer and made threats of violence.

He also stated he was infected with Covid-19, the court was told.

He was further arrested on suspicion of common assault on an emergency worker.

Detective Chief Inspector Fiona Martin, of Roads and Transport Policing, said: “Spitting at someone is a disgusting thing to do in normal circumstances, but at this uncertain time of Covid-19 it is offensive, reprehensible and dangerous.

“Key workers such as bus drivers are essential to keeping London moving and they are currently doing this under very difficult circumstances.

“They, alongside our officers who are all working hard as ever to keep

London safe, do not come to work to be spat at. I hope the fact that Cawley has been remanded until sentencing shows that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and will be dealt with great severity at all times.”

Crawley was remanded to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court for sentencing yesterday (Wednesday) at the time of going to press.