A Birmingham thug who claimed he had coronavirus has been arrested and jailed for and spitting at police officers.
Christopher Harris has been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for assault after he claimed he had coronavirus and spat at three police officers in Birmingham.
The courts have sent out a clear indication that anyone who uses threats to infect people with coronavirus will receive no mercy from the law.
The abusive perpetrator was jailed after he lashed out at officers as they arrested him at his home in Stechford on March 27.
Harris, aged 41, who was wanted on recall to prison, spat at the police officers while shouting “I’ve got corona!”
As a result he was placed in a spit hood for protection before being taken into police custody, where he reportedly continued to spit at officers.
West Midlands Police also confirmed Harris refused to leave his cell for a court hearing, saying he was self-isolating.
However, officers were not deterred and the court hearing did take place on Wednesday 15 April via video-link, after Harris’ 14-day self-isolating period was up.
Harris was sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court to 26 weeks in jail for three counts of assaulting a police officer.
PC Scott Dent of the Birmingham East Neighbourhood Team, said: “This sentencing is a clear sign that using coronavirus as a weapon will not be tolerated.
“As officers, we will always act to ensure we protect the general public and ourselves from those who behave in this totally unacceptable manner.”
