Covid-claim thug spat at officer when arrested

A yob assaulted a police officer by spitting on him and coughing in his direction – and claiming he had coronavirus – after being caught burgling an empty Sunderland property.

Dylan Mawson’s vile assault against the PC was described as “dangerous” twice over by a judge when he appeared in court to admit his crimes.

Mawson, 22, of the Salvation Army’s hostel in High Street East, Sunderland, carried out the raid and the assault two days before Christmas.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard that he entered the Norfolk Hotel, in Norfolk Street, as a trespasser and with intent to steal on Wednesday, December 23.

District Judge Kathryn Meek told the hearing: “There is spit that lands on the officer and then he is caught saying he has coronavirus. He was burgling an empty building.”

She added: “Spitting at a police officer is dangerous, and coughing at a police officer when you say that you have coronavirus, dangerous. You may end up at crown court for sentencing.”

Greg Flaxen, defending, told the hearing that his client had since been attacked at the hostel, which had left him waiting to undergo corrective surgery.

Mawson pleaded guilty to burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal and two charges of common assault of an emergency worker.

He was granted bail by the district judge on the condition he abides by a 7pm to 7am tagged curfew and lives and sleeps at the hostel.

Mawson, who committed both assaults against the same officer, will return to the South Tyneside court for sentencing on February 26.