Men jailed for COVID-19 crimes including coughing and spitting on police officers and stealing face masks from ambulance

Three men have been jailed for separate coronavirus-related crimes including coughing and spitting on police officers and stealing face masks from an ambulance.

In once case in Lancashire, a man was jailed for a year for spitting at two police officers while claiming he was infected with the virus, and in London another was jailed for six months from stealing the personal protective equipment and assaulting a security guard.

Read More
Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland coronavirus death toll up by 50 to 126

And a 55-year-old man was jailed for six months after coughing on a police officer while claiming to have the virus in London, thought to be the first jail sentence in the Capital for a Covid-19-related assault of an emergency worker.

Callum Heaton (left) and Mark Manley (top right) and Adam Lewis (bottom right). Pictures: SWNSCallum Heaton (left) and Mark Manley (top right) and Adam Lewis (bottom right). Pictures: SWNS
Callum Heaton (left) and Mark Manley (top right) and Adam Lewis (bottom right). Pictures: SWNS

‘Totally unacceptable’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lancashire Police said Callum Heaton, 23, was jailed for 12 months for spitting at two officers while claiming he was infected with COVID-19.

Heaton, who was arrested for being drunk and disorderly in Burnley on Saturday, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on an emergency worker and one of criminal damage at Burnley Magistrates' Court on Monday.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "It is totally unacceptable that police and other front line workers who are doing their best to keep our communities safe are treated like this."

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Wales reported pharmacists were also facing abusive and aggressive behaviour.

Director of the society Elen Jones said: "I have been shocked to hear of pharmacy teams being verbally abused and even spat at.

"I have also heard of fights starting outside pharmacy premises. This is totally unacceptable behaviour.

"Community pharmacists and their teams are doing everything they possibly can to help in very difficult circumstances.

"They are under significant pressure and they need the help of the public so they can continue to provide vital healthcare support."

Coughing on police

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Adam Lewis, 55, was jailed for six montha at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after being convicted of an assault on an emergency worker, the Metropolitan Police said.

The case is believed to be the first jail sentence in London for a Covid-19-related assault involving a police officer.

The Met said the officer had been flagged down by a member of the public while he was on cycle patrol in Westminster at around 3.40pm on Tuesday.

The officer was told that a man had been seen trying the handles of car doors in the area.

He subsequently approached Lewis and attempted to detain him for a search, at which point Lewis tried to resist and smashed a bottle of wine he was holding on the floor.

Police said Lewis then verbally threatened the officer, telling him: "I am Covid and I am going to cough in your face and you will get it."

He then coughed on the officer - who was trying to keep him at arm's length - making no attempt to shield his mouth, and fell to the floor.

The officer bent down to restrain him, while holding his head away from Lewis, who attempted to cough up phlegm, before trying to spit in his face.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lewis also threatened to bite the officer shortly after telling the him he had a "bad disease" and he was going to give it to him.

Police said Lewis was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and taken into custody at a central London police station.

Chief Superintendent Helen Harper said: "My officers are doing everything they can to keep the public safe and police to the very best of their abilities - and we appreciate that the vast majority of people are making every effort to comply with the measures the Government has introduced.

"While these type of assaults are thankfully a rare occurrence, this incident was horrendous and if we do encounter this type of unacceptable behaviour we will be robust in our response.

"I hope the sentence today conveys a strong message that it will not be tolerated."

Theft of face masks

Mark Manley, 35, of no fixed address, was jailed for six months at Croydon Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to stealing personal protective equipment from a stationary ambulance and assaulting a security guard, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers said they were called at 9.19pm on Saturday to reports of a man having stolen from an ambulance at St Thomas Street, south-east London.

Items taken included masks, paper suits and hand gel, with some of the items rendered no longer usable due to contamination.