South London Man Jailed for Threatening to Spit Coronavirus at Police
A South London man who threatened to spit at officers claiming he had coronavirus has been locked up for 12 months.
Knife-Wielding Threats at Police
Jason Gritton, 45, from Central Hill, SE19, was found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker and affray at Croydon Crown Court on 4 August.
Police had gone to his home on 30 April to arrest him over driving offences. Instead of surrendering, Gritton tried to hide and then brandished a large knife, threatening to kill officers.
Spitting Threats and Flying Objects
He hurled objects including a storage box at the police and menaced them by claiming he had coronavirus and would spit on them.
Specialist negotiators were called in before Gritton was finally arrested and taken into custody.
Strong Words from Police Boss
Chief Inspector David Monk, Met’s Road & Transport Policing Command: “This sentence shows that threats and assaults on emergency workers will not be tolerated and the maximum possible sentence will be sought through the court process.”
