Sunderland dad who spat at police claiming he had Covid-19 and hoped they'd die has been jailed

A carer whose partner is an NHS nurse has been jailed for spitting in the face of a police officer while claiming to have Covid-19 and AIDS.
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Patrick Storey told the cop he would "happily" go to jail "as long as you die", while showering the inside of a police van with spit and licking the interior.

Newcastle Crown Court heard since the outbreak of the pandemic the 37-year-old, who is a carer for his brother with leukaemia, has helped his partner prepare care packs containing treats for her colleagues at the hospital where she works as an auxiliary and takes care of their child while she's on nightshift.

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But on April 14, after drinking a bottle of vodka and taking cannabis, Storey was detained by officers when trouble broke out in Hendon, Sunderland and embarked on a "vile and frenzied meltdown".

Patrick Storey.Patrick Storey.
Patrick Storey.

The court heard it is understood the Northumbria Police officer had to be tested for Coronavirus but the result of it is not known.

Prosecutor Graham O'Sullivan said Storey had "struggled and kicked his legs" at officers and tried to headbutt one of them so had to be restrained.

Mr O'Sullivan said because of his behaviour, the police requested the attendance of colleagues with a van and Storey was put into the cage in the back, after another struggle, to be taken to the police station.

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He added: "He said he was going to spit all over and was shouting 'rats'.

The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court.The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court.
The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court.

"He continued his abuse, shouting 'I've got AIDS, Covid-19, the lot, spit going all over your faces'.

"He started kicking the cage and spitting repeatedly.

"His threatening behaviour continued and he kept shouting '16 weeks, I will happily do that as long as you die ************, spit in your face, I've got Covid-19, I'm going to give you Covid-19.

"He was laughing as he was making his threats.

"During this he spat all over the van and in the direction of the police officer.

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"The officer said the cage was largely preventing the spit from hitting him.

"Inside the cage, he spat on the inside door handles of the van, was licking the cage and gargling his spit.

"He put his mouth around the small gap separating him from the police officer and began deliberately spitting through it. The spit landed on his forehead.

"He was shouting 'I'm going to spit in your eye'."

The court heard after a 40 minute journey, Storey was fitted with a spit hood at the police station.

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The officer who was spat on, who has 18 years service with the force, said in a victim statement the ordeal was "almost impossible to describe" and added: "To be subject to having my face spat in is just abhorrent.

"I am now sick with worry and will have to bear this in mind when dealing with family members."

The officer who Storey tried to headbutt said: "There has never been a more nervous time to do my job. I come to work every day, running the risk of contracting Covid, in order to serve the people of Sunderland and keep the community safe.

"I'ts not only me at risk but so are my young family, who I go home to.

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"Despite the risks involved, I come to work because I am proud of my job and I want to help vulnerable people the best I can.

"I do not come to work to be verbally abused or physically assaulted by members of the public simply for doing my job."

Storey, of Salem Street South, Sunderland, admitted two charges of assault on an emergency worker.

Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced him to six months behind bars.

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The judge said: "Police officers are there to protect the public and the courts, in turn, should protect police officers.

"This was during lockdown and the police officers were doing their public duty."

Tony Cornberg, defending, said Storey, who has not been diagnosed with Covid-19 or AIDS, was "sobbing" when he realised what he had done and added: "His partner is a nurse, out there literally helping to save lives and prop up the country.

"There is a great irony to the fact that he, of all people, should be behaving in the way he has to accept was a vile and frenzied meltdown."

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Mr Cornberg said during the health crisis Storey has helped prepare boxes containing biscuits, snacks and handcream for key workers and is full of remorse but "deserves to feel every second of the prison sentence".

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