Man who spat at police claiming to have Covid-19 is jailed
A man who claimed to have coronavirus as he repeatedly spat at police officers has been jailed for six months.
Christopher Harris lashed out at three West Midlands Police officers as they tried to arrest him at his home in Stetchford, Birmingham, on March 27.
Harris, who was wanted on recall to prison, told the officers: "I have got corona."
He then tried to spit at the officers.
The 41-year-old was placed in a spit hood for protection before being taken into police custody, where he continued to spit at the police officers.
Harris then refused to leave his prison cell for a court hearing, saying that he was self-isolating.
But officers were not deterred and the court hearing took place on Wednesday, via video-link, after his 14-day self-isolation period was up.
Harris was sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court to 26 weeks in prison for three counts of assaulting a police officer.
Pc Scott Dent of the Birmingham East neighbourhood team, said: "This sentencing is a clear sign that using coronavirus as a weapon will not be tolerated.
"As officers, we will always act to ensure we protect the general public and ourselves from those who behave in this totally unacceptable manner."
