Yob spat on cop and said he hoped he died from COVID

A shopper tested positive for COVID-19 after spitting on a police officer and shouting:‘I hope you die from it’.

George Jamieson was jailed for 18 months at Hamilton Sheriff Court after admitting assaulting PC John Weir to the danger of his life by spitting on him in Glasgow Road, Wishaw, on August 27.

Jamieson, 55, a prisoner, also admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at Lidl in the town’s Roberts Street that day. Chloe

O’Hara, prosecuting, said police were called after a row between Jamieson and his partner in the supermarket around noon.

When officers arrived, his partner was“physically shaking” and the couple had to be separated.

The Fiscal stated:“Jamieson was placed in the police vehicle and told officers that he was feeling unwell.

“He then spat at PC Weir and the spittle landed on his hand. Jamieson shouted:‘I’ve got COVID. I hope you die from it. I hope your kids die from it’.

He was held in custody and on August 30 received a positive PCR test.

“As a result of his contact with the accused, the officer had to self-isolate, but he tested negative.”

Defence agent Elspeth Forrest said Jamieson and his partner had become involved in an argument that“got out of control”.

Referring to the spitting incident, she added:“A degree of force was used when he was arrested and that provoked him to behave in the way he did.

“At the time he didn’t know he had the virus.

“He had bruising and was taken to hospital where the

PCR test produced a positive result.”

Sheriff John Speir noted that Jamieson has an“extensive” criminal record and jailed him for 18 months, reduced from two years because of his guilty plea.

It was backdated to August 30 as he has been in custody since then.