A British man has been jailed for a year for spitting at cops while claiming to be infected with the coronavirus, according to reports.
Paul Leivers, 48, was sentenced Saturday — just two days after his arrest — after pleading guilty to two counts of assault on an emergency worker in Mansfield, according to Nottinghamshire Police.
It is believed to be the first case using new powers given to police last week to help deal with a coronavirus crack-down, the force said.
“Emergency workers have a difficult job at the best of time, even more so at the minute,” judge Leo Pyle told him, stressing that his “court will not flinch to protect officers.”
Nottingham Magistrates’ Court was told that Leivers did not have coronavirus, nor any symptoms, according to a police press release. Police say the officers are safe and well.
“Despicable, thoughtless and disgraceful acts such as this will not go unpunished,” insisted Nottinghamshire Police’s Chief Constable Craig Guildford.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper praised the tough sentence for sending “a very powerful and clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated,” calling the attack “both despicable and appalling.”
“Our officers are putting their duty to the public ahead of their own welfare at this current time. They put themselves at risk every single day in order to protect our communities – they should not and will not have to put up with this,” he said.
