COVID 19 Spitter Jailed

A young thug, who spat at two arresting police officers while claiming he had COVID 19, is starting a six-month prison sentence.

At around 11.45am on April 20, officers from the Metropolitan Police's East Area Command Unit were called to a Barking address in east London.

They arrested 21 year-old Brandon Wallace on suspicion of domestic threats to kill and criminal damage to property belonging to a woman.

He told officers he had COVID 19 and, while being put into a police van, he spat at two officers. 

He was further arrested for assault on emergency workers.

While in custody Wallace confirmed that he did not have COVID19 or any symptoms.

He pleaded guilty to affray (threatening the woman), criminal damage, assault on emergency workers and breach of regulation 9(1)(b) Health Protection (Coronavirus restrictions) Regulations 2020.

Inspector Alexis Manley, of East Area Command Unit, said: "Thousands of dedicated officers are working to keep Londoners safe at this extraordinary time, and among our priorities is to tackle all forms of domestic offending.

"It says much about the attitude of this man that, in addition to targeting somebody close to him, he was also willing to make false claims about COVID 19 and to spit at officers.

"He has, at least, pleaded guilty to these offences. I hope he spends his period in prison to reflect on his behaviour, and that his prison sentence sends a message to others who are willing to commit domestic offences and to target police officers whose job it is to protect Londoners.

"Such offenders will be arrested and put before the courts, and a prison sentence is a likely outcome."