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Jailed: Thug who spat in the faces of three police officers in busy north London A&E

Behind bars: Darren King spat in the faces of three police officers: Met Police
Behind bars: Darren King spat in the faces of three police officers: Met Police

A thug who spat in three police officers’ faces as they tried to help him in a busy A&E department has been jailed.

Darren King, 29, was chased by police following a fight in Harrow in the early hours of the morning on February 17.

He was detained but not arrested, however, complained of pain in his leg and had suffered injuries to his head and hand.

King, of West Way, Ruislip, was taken to a north London hospital by officers where he subjected them to a vile tirade of abuse in the waiting room.

When asked to stop by a special constable, King spat in his face, leaving blood and saliva on the officer’s forehead.

He was arrested for assaulting a police officer and taken into a bay in the A&E department where he spat in the eye of the female arresting officer.

King became verbally abusive towards medical staff, prompting a third PC to draw his Taser.

As a fourth officer moved a bed for King into the bay, he also spat in his eye and mouth.

The officers were treated at St Thomas’ Hospital and are still awaiting the results of blood tests following the incident.

King was jailed for 12 weeks’ at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

He was also fined £225.

Detective Sergeant Phil Moor, from the Met Police, branded the assault “completely unacceptable”.

He said: “The custodial sentence given to King today shows how seriously the courts take assaults on police officers.

"These officers were trying to help King prior to him receiving treatment at the hospital, but despite this he spat in their faces, going into the mouth and eyes of one officer and the eyes of another.

“The impact of this vile offence was significant and the possible health implications for the officers and their families is apparent.

"Today's sentencing sends a clear message that assaulting police officers is completely unacceptable behaviour for which those responsible can expect to face the full weight of the criminal justice system."