Coronavirus Claim Spitter Jailed After Assaulting Police
A brazen thief who spat at a police officer and taunted him with “I have coronavirus” has been locked up for 120 days.
Caught Red-Handed in Oxford Street
Oliver Cook, 35, was spotted trying to pinch meat from a supermarket in Oxford Street, Whitstable, at 6.20pm on Sunday, 29 March 2020. When staff challenged him, he became abusive and caused damage to a shop display.
Spitting, Kicking and Coronavirus Taunt
During the arrest, Cook spat directly at an officer and laughed, claiming, “I have coronavirus.” As he was bundled into a police van, he also kicked another officer.
Swift Justice for Assault on Emergency Workers
Cook, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 31 March. He was sentenced to 120 days behind bars on charges including two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, theft, and criminal damage.
Chief Inspector Elena Hall, District Commander for canterbury/" title="Canterbury" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Canterbury and Dover, said: “All emergency services and our whole community… are working extremely hard in challenging circumstances. We will not tolerate attacks of this kind.”
“We will prosecute anyone who assaults our team, especially those claiming to have coronavirus.”
