Covid-infected man spat at PC
A Covid-positive criminal tried to spit at a cop after he lured police to a car park then started screaming that he was infectious with the deadly disease.
Martin Hoggarth contacted Northumbria Police on November 17 last year, telling them he was "wanted" for a bail offence and would wait in the parking area at the Millfield Metro station in Sunderland to be arrested.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the 32-year-old, who knew he was positive and therefore highly contagious, washandcuffedwhenofficers arrived and initially appeared to be compliant.
But in the moments that followed Hoggarth spat at the seats inside the police vehicle and then deliberately aimed at one of the officers.
Shocking footage from the police body-worn cameras has been made public and Hoggarth can be heard repeatedly screaming "I've got corona" and spitting.
Prosecutor Joe Cully told the court: "Having been placed in the car he began shouting that he had Covid-19 and demanded to be placed in a van.
"He resisted being put in the rear seat and was kicking the two front seats."
The court heard while in the car Hoggarth, who has a "horrendous" criminal record of 104 previous convictions, was screaming "I've got coronavirus" and started spitting at the front seats of the police vehicle.
Hoggarth, who was told a spit hood would be put on him, then spat twice at one of the officers, but missed.
Mr Culley said: "The defendant turned towards the PC and spat towards him. He was then heard spitting a further time.
"It was later confirmed the defendant had in fact tested positive. He was positive at that time for Covid 19."
The officer who was spat at said he had been a member of the police force for six years and added: "I don't think there has ever been a more testing time to provide this service to the public.
"The world is in a state of crisis due to the Coronavirus pandemic and our force is dealingwithwhatthatbrings.
"I come to work every day not knowing who I am going to come into contact with or whether those people are infectious. "I realise there is an element of risk but I don't expect to be spat at by a human confirmed to be infectious with this deadly virus."
The officer said he lives with someone who is vulnerable, which caused him extra concern.
Hoggarth, of Hylton Road, Sunderland, admitted assault on an emergency worker.
Judge Julie Clemitson said: "Spitting is abhorrent at the best of times but during a pandemic becomes even more serious."
The judge jailed Hoggarth for three months.
The judge said it was "lucky" the officer did not contract coronavirus as a result of the exchange and added: "He easily could have been infected."
Judge Clemitson told Hoggarth: "The offence is so serious it must be marked with a custodial sentence. It must be marked, such behaviour simply cannot be tolerated."
Vic Laffey, defending, said Hoggarth accepts his behaviour was "despicable" and added: "Thankfully the officer wasn't caught by the saliva. Thankfully he didn't contract this disease, admittedly by luck rather than good judgement."