A man has been jailed for 16 weeks after claiming he had Coronavirus and threatening to spit at British Transport Police officers in Liverpool.
The incident happened at Liverpool Lime Street station at around 5.40pm on Friday 27 March.
Officers approached a closely gathered group at the station’s main entrance and intended to advise on the current pandemic.
One of the group, Robert Carson, reacted aggressively. He later admitted being under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The 54-year-old, of Fraser Street in Liverpool, began shouting in the face of an officer.
Carson refused to leave the station multiple times and soon started launching violent threats and insults.
He was arrested and continually spat at the dividing glass as he was being driven to custody in a police van.
He also made more threats, claiming he had coronavirus and intended to spit in the faces of officers.
Carson was charged with using threatening behaviour and common assault of an emergency worker.
He pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday 7 April.
BTP Chief Inspector David Rams said: “The national emergency has created challenges for policing in general, and for my officers who day in and day out work hard to ensure the safety and security of the railway network.
“What doesn’t help is threats and abuse while they’re trying to ensure the safety of the public. I’m pleased the courts have taken this incident extremely seriously and ensured Carson has been dealt a custodial sentence. I hope this serves as a deterrent to anyone tempted to threaten or spit at officers.”