Key worker spat in police officer's mouth and shouted 'corona'

A key worker has avoided an immediate jail term after spitting in a police officer’s mouth before shouting “corona”.
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District Judge Timothy Capstick said it went against his better judgement to suspend a prison sentence against Ian Muncaster.

Muncaster, 40, of Cotswold Place, Peterlee, became aggressive and assaulted two officers as they attempted to quiz him about another matter on Sunday, April 5.

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Durham Police said he kicked one officer, causing her bruising to her knee, and spat into the mouth the another before shouting “corona” as he lashed out and swore at them.

The two spitting cases were heard at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.The two spitting cases were heard at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.
The two spitting cases were heard at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.

At Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 7, District Judge Capstick sentenced Muncaster to a total of 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, after he admitted two charges of assaulting an emergency worker.

He also imposed an electronically-monitored curfew from 7pm to 5am for 12 weeks and ordered him to pay £700 compensation.

The judge told Muncaster he avoided immediate imprisonment because he had not been involved with the courts for some time, had a full-time job as a key worker and his behaviour was out of character.

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In a similar incident, April Syrett, 19, of no fixed address, was arrested following an incident at Superdrug, in Chester-le-Street, on Monday, March 30.

She was refused entry to the store as she appeared to be intoxicated before she threatened staff and and said she would spit on her victim and the victim’s children and give them coronavirus.

The door was closed to prevent her entering before she spat at the glass.

At Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, Syrett admitted assault and a public order offence and was sentenced to four weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

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She was also ordered to pay £200 compensation and handed an exclusion requirement not to enter Superdrug, in Chester-le-Street, for 12 months.

Superintendent Richie Allen, of Durham Constabulary, said after the cases: “This type of behaviour simply won’t be tolerated in our community.

“Threatening to give somebody coronavirus and spitting at them is completely unacceptable and abhorrent.

“Reports of this nature have been exceptionally rare, but anybody behaving in this manner should expect that they will be arrested and prosecuted for their actions.”

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