A ‘DESPICABLE’ thug who spat at police officers claiming he had coronavirus symptoms has been caged for a year.
Paul Leivers, 48, lashed out at the custody officers after being arrested in Nottingham.
The yob told cops he had symptoms of the killer disease but Nottingham Magistrates’ Court was told he was lying.
He has now been caged for a year after admitting two counts of assault on an emergency worker.
District Judge Leo Pyle said: “It was in the public interest to deal with the matter sooner rather than later.
“These are two distinct acts and it was appalling behaviour, these offences were deliberate and pre-mediated.
“Emergency workers have a difficult job at the best of time, even more so at the minute and the court will not flinch to protect officers.”
Nottinghamshire Police said the officers who were spat at are safe and well and slammed Leivers over his “despicable, thoughtless and disgraceful” behaviour.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This sentence sends out a very powerful and clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated in any shape or form and especially not now in the current climate.
“In these worrying times for us all, having someone spitting at front line officers threatening them with coronavirus is 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 to day in order to protect our communities – they should not and will not have to put up with this.
“I want to thank the judge for making an example of this situation which I know will send a message loud and clear not just here in Nottinghamshire but across the country.”
The CPS has confirmed they would prosecute people who coughed on or at emergency service staff during the coronavirus crisis.
Doing so against emergency workers would be punishable by up to a year in prison, while coughs directed as a threat towards other key workers or members of the public could be charged as common assault.
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-sellin
g newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
It comes as cops across the UK have been forced to break up a string of parties and gatherings as Brits continue to flout social distancing rules.
Anyone who flouts the new crackdown will face fines of up to £1,000 or even arrest when cops are given emergency powers.
Police also now have the power to issue on-the-spot fines of £30 for meeting under the new legislation.
Those who keep disobeying can be arrested and locked up.
It forms part of a four step plan to engage, ask, fine and then force people to comply and keep the nation safe.
Under the plans, if an officer sees someone out of their home and believes they are breaching the lockdown, they start a “four-step plan”.
The officer will first ask the person why they are out, and then explain why the ban is needed.
Then they will encourage the person to return home, and even give them tips on the best route.
If they still won’t go, officers can then issue a fine or use “reasonable force” to make someone go home.
