Man jailed after threatening to spit at police while claiming he had coronavirus

A man from south London who threatened to spit at police officers after claiming he had coronavirus has been jailed for 12 months.

Jason Gritton, 45, attempted to hide from officers when they visited his home on April 30 in relation to driving offences.

He began waving a large knife at them while making threats to kill, Scotland Yard said.

Gritton also threw a number of objects, including a large box, at the officers and threatened to spit at them after claiming he had Covid-19.

He was found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker and affray on Tuesday following a trial at Croydon crown court, and sentenced on Friday.

Chief Inspector David Monk said: "This sentence shows that threats and assaults on emergency workers will not be tolerated and the maximum possible sentence will be sought through the court process."