A MAN who claimed he was infected with COVID-19 has been jailed for threatening to cough and spit at police officers.

Gary Stephen Stringer was arrested in the early hours of April 9. As officers were attempting to detain him, Stringer stated he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at Scarborough Hospital only days before and threatened to cough and spit at two of the officers.

When taken into custody at Scarborough police station, Stringer continued to make threats towards another officer who was attempting to interview him, stating he had COVID-19.

Stringer, 26, of Blueberry Way, Scarborough, appeared at York Magistrates Court on April 11, and pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting an emergency worker. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Speaking about the sentence, Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Graeme Kynman said: “At a time of national emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic when the risk of infection remains high, to threaten or attempt to spit and cough at an officer who is trying to do his or her job is both shocking and appalling.

“Police will not tolerate this behaviour and anyone suspected of committing such a crime against a police officer, or any fellow emergency worker, can expect to face prosecution.”