'Despicable' man jailed for spitting at police while claiming to have coronavirus

A man has been jailed after spitting at police and claiming to have coronavirus.

Darrell Glen Humphries coughed in the face of a police officer at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, on Monday.

South Wales Police officers had taken him to hospital for non-coronavirus related treatment following an incident at a supermarket in the Canton area.

The 53-year-old, from Canton, was charged with assaulting an emergency worker and appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Humphries pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison. He was also ordered to pay £128 towards victim services.

Superintendent Jason Rees, from South Wales Police, said: "To spit at an officer or any emergency service worker is unacceptable at any time but in the current situation with coronavirus it is even more despicable.

“This seriousness of the offence has been rightly recognised by the court and the immediate custodial sentence should serve as a deterrent to anyone who feel they can assault the very people who are trying to keep them safe.

“Our officers remain on the front line, responding to spontaneous incidents, detecting crime, and serving communities."