A suspected car crook, who deliberately coughed into a policeman's face – claiming he had Covid-19 – has been jailed.
Adam Lewis, 55, was sentenced to six months imprisonment for assault on the officer, a designated emergency worker.
Westminster Magistrates Court heard the officer was on cycle patrol in Westminster at 3.40pm on March 31.
A member of the public alerted the officer to Lewis, who was trying the door handles of parked cars.
The PC 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.
Lewis then verbally threatened the PC, telling him: "I am covid and I am going to cough in your face and you will get it."
He then coughed on the PC, who was trying to keep him at arm's reach, making no attempt to shield his mouth, and fell to the floor.
The PC 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.
Lewis also threatened to bite him, shortly after telling the PC that he had a bad disease and that he was going to give it to him.
After the PC called for assistance, other Met colleagues arrived and Lewis was arrested.
Chief Superintendent Helen Harper, from Area West Command Unit, said: “My officers are doing everything they can to keep the public safe and police to the very best of their abilities - and we are 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."
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