Birmingham man 'with Covid-19' jailed for spitting at officers
A Birmingham man who claimed to have coronavirus as he repeatedly spat at three of our officers, has been jailed.
Christopher Harris has been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for assault after he lashed out at three officers as they arrested him at his home in Stechford on 27 March.
Police say his sentencing is a "clear sign that using coronavirus as a weapon will not be tolerated".
The 41-year-old, who was wanted on recall to prison, told the officers "I’ve got corona", before trying to spit at them.
Police placed him in a spit hood for protection before being taken into custody, where he continued to spit at officers.
He also refused to leave his cell for a court hearing, saying he was self-isolating.
The court hearing did take place on Wednesday (15 April) via video-link, after his 14-day self-isolating period was up.
Harris was sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court to 26 weeks in jail for three counts of assaulting a police officer.
It comes after 3 other people were jailed for coughing & spitting as police crack down on Coronavirus offenders