Sunderland yob who spat and coughed at cop warned he could be jailed over his 'dangerous' actions

Dylan Mawson’s vile assault against the PC was described as “dangerous” twice over by a judge when he appeared in court to admit his crimes.

Mawson, 22, of the Salvation Army’s hostel in High Street East, Sunderland, carried out the raid and the assault two days before Christmas.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard he entered the Norfolk Hotel, in Norfolk Street, as a trespasser and with intent to steal on Wednesday, December 23.

Outlining the case, District Judge Kathryn Meek told the hearing: “There is spit that lands on the officer and then he is caught saying that he has coronavirus. He was burgling an empty building.”

She added: “Spitting at a police officer is dangerous, and coughing at a police officer when you say that you have coronavirus, dangerous.

“You may end up at crown court for sentencing, but you may end up at this court.”

Greg Flaxen, defending, told the hearing that his client had since been attacked at the hostel, which had left him waiting to undergo corrective surgery.

Mawson pleaded guilty to burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal and two charges of common assault of an emergency worker.

He was granted bail by the district judge on the condition he abides by a 7pm to 7am tagged curfew and lives and sleeps at the hostel.

District Judge Meek rejected an application for Mawson’s curfew condition to be loosened so that he can attend any pre-7am hospital appointment.

She did so after Mawson admitted no such appointment to see a specialist at Sunderland’s eye hospital yet existed.

Mawson, who committed both assaults against the same officer, will return to the South Tyneside court for sentencing on Friday, February 26.

District Judge Meek told him that he must stick to his bail conditions, and warned him that could face strict consequences if he fails to do so.

She warned him: “Breach your bail conditions and you can expect to go to custody.”

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