Portsmouth man Scott Sleet jailed for 'weaponised Covid-19 cough' and spitting in Portsmouth police officer's face

Police had been called to a disturbance at a property in Olinda Street, in Fratton, at 10.10pm on March 28.

Officers removed Sleet from the address and arrested him for being drunk and disorderly as he was being abusive in the street, police said.

During this he coughed and spat at a police officer and claimed he had coronavirus – which has now claimed more than 30,000 lives in Britain.

Sleet, 42, of Eastern Road, Copnor, was charged with assaulting an emergency worker, appeared at court and was bailed.

He was due to be in court again on May 12 having denied all but the drunk and disorderly behaviour.

But he was arrested on Tuesday having breached his bail by going to an address in Quinton Close, in Somers Town, and contacting a woman related to an assault on April 17.

At Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court, district judge Gary Lucie jailed Sleet for six months for assaulting the officer when he coughed and spat at her.

He was also handed four-month concurrent term for assault by beating on April 17 when he assaulted his partner in Quinton Close.

Hampshire police assistant chief constable Scott Chilton said: ‘My officers are doing everything they can to help limit the spread of infection, protect the NHS colleagues and save lives.

‘It is completely unacceptable for anyone to use this virus as a weapon in these very challenging times.

‘Not only is this appalling behaviour, but it has a major personal impact on those officers and their families.

‘This case should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can cough and spit at my officers, or anyone else responding to this national emergency. You will be arrested and face the consequences of your actions.’

Sleet admitted assaulting an emergency worker, drunk and disorderly, assault by beating, breaching his bail and breaching a 12-month conditional discharge imposed for breaching a restraining order.

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