Court sentences welcomed after ‘coronavirus cough’ offences

22 April 2020

Humberside Police Federation chair Pete Musgrave has welcomed the news that offenders found guilty of weaponising coronavirus by spitting or coughing at police officers are being jailed.

But he urged magistrates and judges to continue to use the sentencing powers available to them.

“I cannot believe that anyone would sink so low as to spit at a police officer at any time but those who are claiming to have coronavirus and then spitting – or threatening to spit – at officers or other emergency service workers are the lowest of the low,” says Pete Musgrave, chair of Humberside Police Federation.

“We have had a number of these incidents here in Humberside so I am pleased to hear that courts are handing out custodial sentences that should not just punish those found guilty of these offences but also act as a deterrent to others.”

On Saturday Michael Jones (49) was jailed for nine months (three months for each offence) for spitting at two female police officers and a security guard in Brighton.

Last month Paul Leivers from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire was jailed for 12 months after spitting at two police officers while claiming to have coronavirus.

National Federation chair John Apter welcomed the sentences.

“This is a good start and I am glad to see magistrates and judges taking this seriously. I urge them to continue to set an example so others will follow suit,” he said.

“I want to thank Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Crown Prosecution Service, for his support in putting this issue under the spotlight and the Sentencing Council for enhancing the guidance for those found guilty of this type of offence.”

He added: “For far too long those who have attacked my colleagues have often walked away from court with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. An assault on any emergency worker is an assault on society.

“I care about the victims whose voices are so often ignored; for this reason, I make no apology for wanting those responsible to spend time in prison.”